Manchester United vs. Newcastle United score: Marcus Rashford, Red Devils cruise to EFL Cup final victory

Casemiro found the net and Rashford helped score the second at Wembley

Erik ten Hag has become the first Dutch manager to lift the EFL Cup as two goals in six minutes was enough for Manchester United to defeat Newcastle United 2-0 on Sunday at Wembley. Without goalkeeper Nick Pope, who missed the match due to a red card suspension, Newcastle were always going to be up against it but they were the better side until a reckless foul by Bruno Guimares handed Manchester United a free kick in the 32nd minute. Luke Shaw had an excellent delivery on the free kick that Casemiro met in the air for the opening goal and it was all United from there. Only six minutes later, Wout Weghorst played Marcus Rashfrord into space to score United's second goal which ended up being credited as an own goal on Sven Botman due to the deflection that it took off of the defender. 

That was enough to secure the victory with ten Hag managing the game and ensuring that his players on yellow cards weren't sent off. United will still have the chance at another trophy as well as they're in the last 16 of the Europa League after triumphing over Barcelona earlier in the week. The Red Devils will also take part in the fifth round of the FA Cup as their impressive season continues.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 1:34 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Manchester United lifts the EFL Cup

Two first half goals were all that it took to secure the first trophy of the Erik ten Hag era at Manchester United. It was a tight affair but Manchester United capitalized on Newcastle's mistakes to ensure that they would be the team lifting the Cup. Newcastle were shaky in moments which was understandable since they haven't won a trophy since 1999 but it's a victory that shows ten Hag's fingerprints all over the club. Defeating Barcelona one day and Newcastle the next, Manchester United are back.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 1:28 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Karius forced into action again

Late Bruno Fernandes went for goal but Karius came up with another good save in the match. There are a lot of reasons why Newcastle couldn't get through in the match but Karius is the reason why they aren't down four goals or more at this stage of the match.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 1:26 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Five minutes of extra time to be played

Newcastle are subbing off the starters as it's clear that Machester United will be lifting the cup today.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 1:14 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

United had a chance for a third

Bruno Fernandes led a great counter trying to find Rashford but the pass into the box was just contained by Karius. About 10 minutes remain.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 1:11 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Fresh legs for United

Scott McTominay and Marcel Sabitzer are on to close the match out with Fred and Wout Weghorst exiting. It was a good shift from each but United only has to see out a two goal lead for 24 more minutes so the goal is to contain Newcastle.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 12:59 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

United have setted into a defensive groove

While Newcastle are still attacking, they've yet to breach United's defense in the match entering the 65th minute. Bringing on Wan-Bissaka has paid off in winning 1v1 battles against Saint-Maximin.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 12:45 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Newcastle are still sloppy

Wan-Bissaka won a ball high up the pitch but Weghorst couldn't play in a teammate for United to secure their third goal of the match. But with how Newcastle's execution has been so far in the match, it's hard to see them getting back into this without a goal in the next ten minutes. 

[Feb 26, 2023 at 12:41 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

A few changes ahead of the second period

Alexander Isak has entered for Longstaff as Howe changes the shape a little. Ten Hag has also made a change with Wan-Bissaka entering for Dalot who was on a yellow card.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 12:38 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

The first half comes to an end

It was a close match until United scored the opening match and Newcastle's lack of experience in critical matches has begun to show. Newcastle were pushing the pace until Bruno Guimaraes gave away a free kick that Luke Shaw and Casemiro made the most of. From that point forward, United has dominated the game with Marcus Rashford creating an own goal from Sven Botman to go ahead 2-0 at the half. Newcastle will need to make some changes or this could easily see United go ahead 3-0 soon enough.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 12:23 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Frustration is showing 

Joelinton may have thought he was playing American Football with a horsecollar tackle on Casemiro to earn a yellow card. That's the third yellow handed out so far during the match as some early withdrawals may be on the way to ensure both teams finish with 11 on the pitch.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 12:21 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

United are trying to get a third before the half

Looking at the Red Devils attacking, you'd think they were behind a goal as they're looking to push the pace during stoppage time. While they've yet to get anything yet, their best defense has been attacking so far as Newcastle are losing their shape on the counter. Weghorst forces Karius into a good save and United wins yet another corner kick.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 12:16 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Manchester United 2, Newcastle United 0 (FT)

[Feb 26, 2023 at 12:15 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Twice as nice from Marcus Rashford

[Feb 26, 2023 at 12:14 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

United's opening goal

[Feb 26, 2023 at 12:11 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Uh oh that escalated quickly

Now that one should've been stopped for Karius as Rashford slips through the Newcastle United defense and scores. Only six minutes between United's first and second goal and this match could be over before the half.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 12:06 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

Manchester United open the scoring!

It's a Luke Shaw to Casemiro connection after a free kick was given away from a reckless challenge by Bruno Guimaraes. It was an excellent delivery by Shaw that Newcastle couldn't do much about and it's what can happen when you give United a chance to deliver set pieces from a dangerous area.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 12:04 pm ET · Chuck Booth]

That was an excellent chance!

Longstaff flashed a ball across the face of the net but Wilson wasn't there to meet it. Saint-Maximin did take a shot from a tough angle that was saved by De Gea before Guimaraes fired his chance over the box. That was Newcastle's most sustained attack of the morning so far.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 11:58 am ET · Chuck Booth]

Things have settled a little

At the 25 minute mark, there has yet to be a goal as possession is close to even. Bruno Guimaraes has been critical in midfield winning the ball back for the Magpies but United's defense has been disciplined enough to make sure those counters are well dealt with. Not much to split the sides so far but tactical tweaks will be on the way.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 11:46 am ET · Chuck Booth]

Karius' first save now

Weghost has some excellent hold up play in the box but couldn't get enough power on things making it a simple save for Karius 13 minutes in. While it was simple, with so much time not getting game action, that'll be an important save for Karius to gain rhythm in the match.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 11:42 am ET · Chuck Booth]

Speaking of Newcastle's attack

Dalot is the recipient of the game's first yellow card for stopping Sait-Maximin from being able to counter. With Aaron Wan-Bissaka already on the bench and performing well as of late, that will see Dalot on a short leash for the remainder of the match.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 11:39 am ET · Chuck Booth]

Fred to receive treatment after a challenge 

He'll continue in the match but his challenge on Burno Guimaraes was a timely one as Newcastle would've had an open shot on goal only six minutes into the match. So far the United defense has been up to the task of containing Newcastle.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 11:35 am ET · Chuck Booth]

Manchester United wins the first corner

It was a good team attack as Marcus Rashford was off to the races early but Botman reads it well so that it only ends up as a corner kick instead of testing Karius. The corner is cleared well but it's an open start to the match.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 11:21 am ET · Chuck Booth]

10 minutes until kickoff

The stage is set for an excellent game. With a victory, Erik ten Hag could become the first Dutch manager ever to win the EFL Cup.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 10:57 am ET · Chuck Booth]

Which side can take a step to realize their ambitions?

Since Martin Dubravka is cup tied from his loan to Manchester United, Loris Karius will start between the sticks for Newcastle with a chance to rewrite his own soccer story five years after a poor performance in a Champions League final for Liverpool.

He'll have quite a job stopping Marcus Rashford and Manchester United who have undergone their own improvement under Erik ten Hag this season. The Red Devils, with the Cristiano Ronaldo era firmly behind them, have been able to advance to the last 16 of the Europa League after handling Barcelona and are also controlling their own destiny in the top four race as they are eight points ahead of Newcastle in fifth place.

If Ten Hag's side are able to win this game, it will go a long way to validating their decision to hire the new manager and show potential new recruits during the summer that the club is well and truly back to competing with the best in the league. But when Newcastle are looking to do the same in the match, only one side can establish themselves.

[Feb 26, 2023 at 10:48 am ET · Chuck Booth]

Manchester United's squad for the day

Diogo Dalot comes in for Aaron Wan-Bissaka while Antony returns for Jadon Sancho but all eyes are on Marcus Rashford who has pushed United to new highs this season.

Starters: De Gea; Martinez; Fernandes; Rashford; Fred; Casemiro; Varane; Dalot; Antony; Shaw; Weghorst

Reserves: Heaton; Lindelof; Maguire; Wan-Bissaka; Malacia; McTominay; Sabitzer; Garnacho; Sancho

[Feb 26, 2023 at 10:43 am ET · Chuck Booth]

How Newcastle are lining up

Karius will deputize in net as expected while Matty Longstaff will also start the match with Joe Willock on the bench to begin things. As with most matches, Newcastle's defense will be the unit to watch as everything starts with Keiran Trippier at the back.

Starters: Karius; Trippier; Schar; Botman; Burn; Guimaraes; Longstaff; Joelinton; Almiron; Saint-Maximin; Wilson

Reserves: Gillespie; Lascelles; Ritchie; Targett; Isak; Manquillo; Murphy; Willock; Anderson

[Feb 26, 2023 at 10:35 am ET · Chuck Booth]

How to watch and odds

• Date: Sunday, Feb. 26 | Time: 11:30 a.m.
• Location: Wembley Stadium -- London
• TV: None  | Live stream: ESPN+
• Odds: Manchester United +115; Draw +215; Newcastle United +240 (via Caesars Sportsbook) 

[Feb 26, 2023 at 10:35 am ET · Chuck Booth]

Hello and welcome

It's EFL Cup final day and Wembley will be rocking as Manchester United and Newcastle United meet with a trophy on the line. It's a big boost for Manchester United as Marcus Rashford passes fit for the match. It will be an open affair between two good teams which should only make for a great final.