Newcastle fans should be asking questions about what happened last night as Manchester United drew 2-2 at Old Trafford.
What’s the story?
Well, the Magpies take on the Red Devils in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday 26th February.
Eddie Howe will surely take encouragement from last night’s clash as Leeds went 2-0 up, although he and thousands of Newcastle fans will argue that Lisandro Martinez should have received a red card.
If the Argentina international did receive the red card he arguably deserved, then it would have ruled him out of the Carabao Cup final.
In the 47th minute, Martinez and Patrick Bamford contested a loose ball, with the England international clattering into the South American before both fell to the ground.
The Manchester United No.6 was then seen to swing his foot towards the Leeds No.9’s face, an act which Michael Owen felt was deliberate and “not pleasant” – something of an understatement, in truth.
Had VAR picked up on the incident and deemed Martinez guilty of violent conduct, then it would have resulted in a three-match ban for the £57m man, seeing him miss domestic clashes with Leeds, Leicester and the Carabao Cup final.
Manchester United also have two Europa League clashes with Barcelona this month, although red cards received in a domestic game do not apply to European fixtures.
Of course, Erik ten Hag has other centre-backs to call upon, but Martinez is one of the Dutchman’s most important players, and his absence would have given Newcastle a huge advantage in the Carabao Cup final.
Newcastle can hurt Manchester United
Last night, a managerless Leeds side managed to cause Manchester United plenty of issues down the flanks, as the likes of Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville threatened out wide.
With dangerous wingers of his own such as Miguel Almiron, Allan Saint-Maximin and Anthony Gordon to choose from, Howe will surely take encouragement from that, and look to target Ten Hag’s full-backs at Wembley.
Whatever happens, it is sure to be an exciting final between two in-form sides, as well as two managers who certainly know their stuff.
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