How’s the nerves? I’ve woken up in London with butterflies in my stomach and hope in my heart. 24 years on from our last final and 68 years since our last domestic trophy, the enormity of today is finally starting to sink in.
Soon, I’ll be jumping on the tube with my dad and brother and heading towards Wembley Way, hoping and praying Eddie Howe’s Mags can become heroes for a region desperate for glory after so many years of hurt.
This past year has been a dream and the start of what feels like a special new era on Tyneside. 12 months ago we hoped to have enough to survive. Today, we aren’t just dreaming of a top four finish but believing ‘Newcastle United’ will be etched onto a domestic cup for the first time since 1955.
Standing in our way are Manchester United; arguably the most in-form side in the country at present, but also a team who’ve shown plenty signs of weakness that we can expose if we’re back to our brilliant best today. We may be without Pope, but Bruno is back and we’re facing a side who could be fatigued from that clash with Barcelona little over 48 hours ago.
Speaking ahead of the game, here’s what Howe’s had to say:
“To win would mean the world to me to do that, but it would not necessarily be for me.
“It would be more, genuinely, for the supporters, for everyone connected with the club to embrace that moment if we were able to do it.
“They’ve had a long wait for that moment and I know just from my very limited dealings with people around the city, the love they have for the football club. I’d love to return that love with a trophy.”
Team news
Bruno Guimaraes is back from a three-game ban, meaning the Brazilian will slot into our midfield for the first time since that semi-final win over Southampton.
Joe Willock (hamstring) is facing a race to be fit for this one, although he was pictured in training a few days ago alongside Joelinton – who is thought to be ‘OK’ – and the returning Matt Targett.
For Man Utd, it remains to be seen if Marcus Rashford will shake off a knock picked up in Thursday’s win over Barcelona. Christian Eriksen has already been ruled out, as has Anthony Martial.
Predicted line ups
(4-3-3): Karius– Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton – Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin.
I feel pretty confident this will be the side that Howe leads out at Wembley.
In goal, Karius feels nailed on to start, with Pope suspended, Dubravka ineligible, Darlow out on loan and Gillespie having nothing like the experience our recently signed German has racked up over the years.
I see no reason why the back four would change, but we will see Bruno return to midfield. Willock could pass a late fitness test and put himself in contention. However, I can see Howe using him as an impact sub, starting Joelinton and Longstaff either side of Bruno and sticking by Saint-Maximin after his man of the match display against Liverpool.
Up top, I’m backing Wilson to lead the line. He’s often been a big game player for us and is arguably our most ice-cool finisher under pressure. You’d also expect him to thrive off the atmosphere and give the aggressive Lisandro Martinez one hell of a battle. Like Willock, Isak could then be an electric option off the bench against tiring legs.
On the right, Almiron will be hoping to get back amongst the goals after scoring at Bournemouth and follow that new contract announcement with an all-action display down the right. With Luke Shaw likely to get forward and Marcus Rashford vs Kieran Trippier tipped to be a key battle, Miggy has a huge role to play at both ends.
Prediction
This is our time. We aren’t the favourites and we’ll be missing our No 1, but this team is full of heart, fight and has what it takes to snuff out a Man Utd attack who we’ve tamed once already this season.
We’ll be backed by 33,000 passionate Geordies and led by a manager I have complete faith in.
A tight affair to end with a Callum Wilson winner that sees Newcastle United lift their first domestic trophy in since 1955.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Man Utd
The team have their game to play today & it could be a battle of the Bruno’s as to who orchestrates the game.
But a special mention has to go to the fans who took over Trafalgar Square yesterday & represented the club brilliantly – to my knowledge there was no bother at all.
Total pride in this club & what we are doing – regardless of outcome today.
Sharpy17(Quote)
really hope your right Olly
icedog(Quote)
I expect Man Utd to start 100 mile an hour.
They’ll want an early goal against us but they’ll also be looking to unsettle Karius if they can. They’ll also be looking to get early booking so we have plays walking a tight rope for the rest of the game.
We have to expect it & stay calm. I think the occasion could get to our players more than theirs – with the passion from our fans, the local lads & the fact we have less experience than them with such big games.
Keep our heads and most importantly keep our composure when we get chances!!. We can’t waste opportunities & we have to be clinical in our finishing.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I watched Coventry beat the Mackems yesterday and was really impressed with Viktor Gyökeres.
He’s only 24 and whilst he’s a big old unit, he’s got loads of pace, good running with the ball & very good finisher.
Got a goal & an assist yesterday & has 15 goals in 33 games in a poor Coventry side.
With Krafth & Isak already at Newcastle we could attract another Swede and I reckon he’d be around £20m.
He’d be good to have in the squad as competition for Wilson imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Back to the final and expect the Man Utd team to be:
—————-—— De Gea ———————
Dalot —- Varane — Martinez — Shaw
—————— Casemiro —————-
———- Bruno ———— Fred ————
Sancho ————————— Rashford
—————– Weghourst ——————
I think the midfield battle is going to be a real interesting one. I think our 3 are every bit as good as their 3 – BUT – Joelinton needs to keep his head & not pick up a silly booking early on. I also hope the occasion doesn’t get the better of Longstaff. It’s a huge game for him & if he can block out the noise & focus on the game I actually think he could be a key player.
The obvious threat is Rashford, but I back Trippier against him – though it may restrict Trips as an attacking threat as a result.
The other key for me is Maxi. He could be as much a threat to Man Utd as Rashford is to us – BUT – we need him to put a full shift in today coz Dalot & Sancho (or Anthony) will cause Burn problems.
I honestly think this game comes down to who takes their chances.
Both teams will create chances & both will have periods of controlling the game – it’s who’s most clinical.
Sharpy17(Quote)
loving the stories and images coming out of London
I’m off for a Nice stroll up the beach to the pub before a beer-unch and the game.
think it’ll be a fast start from both teams. Newcastle because that’s what we do. Manu because they don’t want Newcastle to have the opportunity to disrupt them which we will if we get a lead or it’s level
I think Newcastle will need to score three to win . Tough ask but doable
HWTL
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Well it’s my birthday on tuesday so a nice little early gift from the team today please.
Feeling a bit sick and excited all at the same time.
kimtoon(Quote)
I just hope there are no bad ref or VAR decisions that destroy the match. Nothing contentious. Because for sure any decisions would go the way of them! Quite nervous about this one.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
https://youtube.com/shorts/P4msmSzBTec?feature=share
Our board are absolute legends man!! 😂
Can you imagine the Glaziers doing this, or sneaking into a crowded Trafalgar Square!!.
Win or Lose – there’s no questioning these lot have bought into the club wholeheartedly 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Sharpy17(Quote)
brilliant
kimtoon(Quote)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQhQXdXbZgY&ab_channel=NUFCChants
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – god that gives me goosebumps so I can’t imagine what the players feel!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
So of course Rashford starts. Mind games all along as we knew! Wilson up front and Maxi starts. Karius in goal. Come ooooooonnnnnnnnnn
Gilly Toon(Quote)
No favours from Chelsea today – beaten by Spurs 2-0 😡😡
Potter must be due the sack now like – they are awful!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
God I want us to win sooooooooooooo badly
kimtoon(Quote)
Sky sports creaming over Manchester United and Rashford … of course they are.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Sharpy, Chelsea were dreadful. When you think what they’ve spent. They have a squad full of huge egos and no team! I like Potter, but he will be sacked very soon I think!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Howay the lads.
Brisvegas(Quote)
HWTL
let’s do this, it’s well overdue.
kimtoon(Quote)
Aah man .. away from my usual patch and sharing bar space with manu fans is not what I hoped for.
C’mmmmmooooonnnn
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Fernandes always in the refs ear, kittle *****
kimtoon(Quote)
offside that
kimtoon(Quote)
Not Casemiro.. unfortunately
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
****. Well I said we’d need three 🙄
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Clearly offside that first. But var would always be red! Cannot argue about the second. Don’t see how we can come back now. Need to find something here.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I said 3-2 to us as my prediction, but I did not expect their 2 to come first. 😬😳😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Really disappointing first half.
Their delivery from set pieces has been better – ours has been really poor.
I’m sick of attacks breaking down on the right coz Miggy has to either cut back inside or what for an overlap by someone with a right foot.
I wish Howe would try swapping Miggy & Maxi!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Was defo offside Gilly, think it’s possible Pope would of saved the second.
We been ok and looked the better up until they got their first, we seem to fall apart after a bit.
Would be good if we could get back into it early.
kimtoon(Quote)
Isak for Longstaff
kimtoon(Quote)
Even first half .. manu took their chances Newcastle didn’t but can’t see much of a way back from this
So go on I’ll ask as I dont think Casemiro is offside .. so what am I missing that makes it offside??
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
This ref man, tripps blocked nowt given
kimtoon(Quote)
Fucking heartbreaking that like.
Hate to say it but the gulf in quality between the 2 squads was there to see.
Our lads worked hard, but simply don’t have the quality – and not investing in January was a massive mistake.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Gutted
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We aren’t winning anything with players like Almiron & Maxi – sorry but however much they may be liked their end product simply isn’t good enough.
They aren’t the only ones below standard to be fair, but they are there to create & score & they just don’t often enough.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The gulf in class was clear. Not getting more in January was a mistake, not even replacing JJ. Botman was off today. A few mistakes that could’ve let to more goals. Karius did ok, made some big saves. I still maintain that first was offside. Even the commentary said it was offside but 🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️ It’s Man U. Second unlucky.
But why do they keep having MU and Liverpool players as commentators. So fucking biased.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I don’t see a £63 million player in Isak yet either. Wilson was quiet, Miggy and Maxi threatened to deceive.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – not sure if he’s £63m but I thought he give us a bit more attacking when he came on.
Wilson was miles off – but was the only player in the box in the first half.
Trippiers set pieces were awful today too.
They played Barca 3 days ago – if you didn’t know that you could be forgive to think it was us that played 3 days ago & they had the week off.
Bitterly disappointing – but the fact we are bring Jacob Murphy & Matt Ritchie on as a sub in a game we are 2-0 down in just tells you how weak our squad is.
Sharpy17(Quote)
We had more possession & more shots than Man Utd – but fewer on target & I don’t really remember testing De Gea at all.
Our fans were magnificent this weekend and deserved better.
I’ve got dirty Mackems texting taking the p!$$ and I’m steaming!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)