the Manchester United against Newcastle United. First
domestic final of the year in England, Eric 10 Hogs United.
They're the favorite she would say, but anyhow, Newcastle
been superb, throughout the season, but they're just
stuttering a little bit at a really pivotal time for them.
What are your thoughts heading into this game? And this is
always a great final, right? And this is too huge teams to
big
fan bases. This will be a wonderful occasion
at Wembley.
Yeah. Yeah, it's it's a clear indication of the, the progress
that Newcastle have made in a very, very short time, since
obviously the ownership change and
moving on from Mike, Ashley, and
some considerable investment but I wouldn't say outrageous
investment in the first-team squad. At least not allow a lot
of people kind of expected as soon as the new owners came in.
And I think all that credit goes to Eddie how because,
you know he was almost he was almost halfway out the door,
I think when the ownership came in because a lot of people
thought, well, no way is See how good enough to manage
a team that's going to have
European aspirations and if they
slip up at all the new owners are going to be very very quick
to move on and he is just gone along built a really really
solid Squad that is
they're tough to be and what they've been beaten twice in
the Premier League All Season. They're tough to play against
as well. Now, they don't create a ton of chances, they don't
score a ton and so they don't win a ton of games, they've
drawn more than anybody in the Premier League as well.
I think they'll give United a difficult challenge.
Change. But you look at the format United Iran at this point.
Moving on from Reynaldo
turns out a brilliant Master stroke of a decision by
the club. Maybe they should have done it a lot sooner when he
wanted to leave in the summer you know who's to say. But yeah
this is
in form, United are the favorites but I don't think
Newcastle will roll over and give them an easy time. Well
the main reason you're not into the favorites right now is
because Marcus Rush foot and Bruno fine and has their own
fire as a Duo that finding shovel Fernandez. Usually
This thing Rochford right now is in the form of his life
and of course, casimiro coming back as well. That's a
huge bonus for Manchester United midfielder. Really
missed him in recent weeks. So
what is your take on United in terms of is that the key for
them? And because defensively been really solid under 10 hard
work when like at times but that combination there Bruno
looks like the Bruno ripped it up a few seasons ago on
the early going to Seoul Scar
and rash for this is just like
I'm president and he's already got his best tally of
the season. So far and we're only in February. So
that's the X Factor for United right now, isn't it? And I just
got home those to stay fit, because who knows what's
possible in the final month of the season for the Red Devils?
You know, what's really scary about United is, how good Jaden
Sancho looked in their most recent, they like that was,
you know, Ratchford aside. United have had someone up top
who's gotten goals over the years, even when they've
struggled it, whether it was, you know, Reynaldo or someone
else.
But to have Sancho kind
I'm back from the suspension that he had
get in, get a goal
and have confidence. And the way that that goal was scored
as it was just ping ping ping ball, moving One Touch One
Touch balls in the back of the net that to me was a very, very
clear indicator of how well this team is taking to ten hog
system now.
And they are with Sancho in the team, incredibly dangerous on
the counter-attack. And that's not to say that they're not
with Antony on that Wing. But Bruno kind of pulling
the strings dropping those balls.
Behind and Ratchford can't miss the back of the net at this
point. It feels like all that it feels like a collection of
talent has come together and become a team at Manchester
United. And it's incredible to say that almost a decade after
Sir Alex Ferguson left. But that's what
is happening now. And it does,
you know, we had a conversation a couple weeks ago or a week
ago. Maybe after Man City Arsenal are united in the title
race, I
still think it's a bit of a
too much of a gap, but I think the quality that
Showing on a game to game basis, every single time out
the quality of the performances, they are closer
than I thought they were at the time. So
yeah, their favorites and their favorites, for a reason,
they've got all them that currently they have the squad
that the costs, all the money Newcastle will catch them
eventually. But yeah, the the form right now I think is going
to be
most important in this one.
Yeah, absolutely. It's important for Newcastle to have
Bruno key marash back after his suspension but no, Nick Pope
got a red card against Liverpool. Last time out
the Premier League and then When
Martin dubrovka, their backup goalkeeper
was unloaded Man, United playing this competition
earlier, so he's cop tied. So it looks like Laura's carius.
It's going to come out of
the darkness and out know where to
start in a major Cup Final for Newcastle.
And yeah, what do you think about that? Because that seems
like it could go two ways, right? It could be an absolute
nightmare for him.
Or he could have the game of his life saver penalty. Be
a hero and penalty kick, shootout, and that could be
the storyline and
You know, over the years, there are these folk Heroes that kind
of get frosted unexpectedly to these situations and deliver.
So
in many ways he's got nothing to lose because most people
will expect tomorrow. He's not going to be up to the level of
Nick Pope. And how's he going to be?
He's going to be so Rusty. Right, how's it going to read
the situation that he doesn't play with this defense week in
week out? But it's just one game. So who knows, right? Is
it that big of a deal?
Yeah. Does he have any history and in big games, maybe finals
during his career at a chance to
Not right the wrongs of his Liverpool career. Maybe not
quite be a Liverpool hero but, you know, you prevent
Manchester United from winning a trophy. I think a lot of
people might, you know, have a little bit more forgiveness and
look a little more kindly upon
him. Yeah. It's a very, very interesting situation. It is
another challenge though that the Newcastle will have to over
overcome in this game. I think they'll probably look to sit
back, really deep defensively, and try to soak up as much
pressure as they can try to
make life as easy on him and that back line as possible.
People just given the way the United or ripping teams apart
on the counter-attack and Newcastle will look to get it
United that way with was a Max, I mean, and Elma Roane, and
Callum Wilson, if he's able to get back in time for this one,
so
they will have a chance to have a puncher's chance.
But it's going to take kind of a, almost a perfect sequence of
events, I think, for Newcastle to find themselves in
a situation where, you know, they're ahead or potentially
winning this final.
Absolutely. So, in terms of key patents, I'm thinking
The customer against breunig. You morash to Brasilia Midfield
Maestro's obviously slightly different players but that is
a brilliant battle Midfield. I think will decide the tempo
the control.
And then of course you look at Bruno, Fernandez kind of plan
on the right side
of seed and burn
just being there as well. That can he get in behind him and
rash food pills off to that side as well? That might be
a bit of a mismatch, as well as damn. Bone has played sort of
out of position there, right? Is usually a centre-back, but
slotting in there. So
So I'm looking forward to that battle within maybe. Jaden Sancho
whichever Wing. He plays on
trippy a
is a key to a grand C. Newcastle, those wide areas.
I think if Newcastle can plug those gaps defend resolutely as
they have for most of the season, right? That's been
the key to their success under, anyhow. So many clean sheets,
and
narrow wins. Then they've got a chance, but prediction wise,
I'm going to go with my new night, and I think it might be
tighter than we think. I'm going to go for
a 2-1 win for Manchester. Did I think that really in a great
moment now and all competition and
police have they arrived at the right time, right? With
the right players, fit and back
in comparison to Newcastle, I think they just hit a bit of
a dip at the wrong time. Is that fair enough to say and
prediction wise where you going for Man United or Newcastle?
Yeah, that's totally fair. I'll say to Nell to United and it's
probably one nail for quite a long period of the game and
Newcastle hang in there and maybe threatened just a little
bit, but I just
United defend well. Now,
Now, as well. And if the fresh bird is in the form that he is
going forward, and United are not making calamitous mistakes
defensively. The way that they have in recent seasons and even
parts of this season, then,
you know, it's a really, really uphill battle
and will be and we will keep you updated on that battle at
Wembley between Manchester United and Newcastle head over
to pro soccer talk on, NBC sports.com. You can see at
the bottom of the screen there
will have the how to watch information, live analysis and
reaction and video from the first domestic Farm. The season
in England, will Manchester United or Newcastle United? Be
victorious at Wembley and be holding that trophy Aloft.
Whoever does, it will be a big moment for Newcastle. Been
a very long time for them about a trophy but for Manchester
United, you feel like this is a big modes. Eric 10 hard to
really make his statement makers name. Get one
trophy in the books
and he'll be hoping
it's the first of many
more to come. Looking forward to this final. A ND
what a game it should be
at Wembley. And remember PST, whether you covered with
everything you need
as Man United. And Newcastle United go toe-to-toe.