Carabao Cup talking points: Newcastle out for revenge against Man Utd, Chelsea

Can Newcastle avenge last season’s Carabao Cup final defeat against Manchester United? Plus: Aaron Ramsdale is set to be handed a chance to stake a claim for the Arsenal No 1 spot against West Ham, Mauricio Pochettino’s best hope of silverware in his first season at Chelsea

Could Newcastle’s need for rotation spare Man Utd?

“It hurts bad, and the motivation now is to get back here and win them the trophy they deserve.” Eddie Howe struck a determined tone after Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United at Wembley in March.

It will be interesting to see if that enthusiasm for the competition still remains this week – because if it does, Newcastle could take a measure of revenge and pile more pressure on Erik ten Hag’s now struggling side.

Man Utd are reeling after their Manchester derby loss on Sunday. Their hopes of building on the progress of last year have been dented by a worrying start to this campaign. Another humbling at Old Trafford would have alarm bells well and truly ringing. Newcastle have had some setbacks themselves this season but 18 goals in their last five Premier League games is an example of their threat.

But the question is whether the priorities for Newcastle and Howe have moved on since that painful afternoon in rain-soaked north London. Newcastle host Arsenal on Saturday in the Premier League, with another top-five finish an ambition, and then go to Borussia Dortmund for a pivotal Champions League game next Wednesday.

With Alexander Isak, Sven Botman, Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson and Harvey Barnes injured, and Sandro Tonali suspended, there is a selection balance to be struck. Could Callum Wilson – after scoring twice at the weekend draw with Wolves – start all three of those games? His minutes will surely need to be managed. Similarly this may be the chance to give the likes of Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn a breather.

That need for rotation from the visitors could just spare Man Utd further punishment.
Peter Smith