As Newcastle United and Manchester United are set to go toe-to-toe in the Carabao Cup Final, we have picked a combined XI from both sides.
Newcastle United-Manchester United combined XI
Goalkeeper: Newcastle No.1 Nick Pope makes our combined XI
While Manchester United legend David De Gea remains the anthesis of an Erik ten Hag goalkeeper, the same cannot be said for Nick Pope, who is suspended for the final at Newcastle, which is why he starts in our combined XI.
Right-back: Kieran Trippier pips Diego Dalot
Newcastle captain Kieran Trippier, who recently warned his side to be wary of the other threats at Manchester United besides Marcus Rashford has undoubtedly been the most in-form right-back in the Premier League this season.
While Diego Dalot has managed to redeem himself, the England international is in a league of his own.
Centre-backs: 1 from Newcastle, 1 from Manchester United
There is no denying that Raphael Varane has been excellent for Manchester United this season.
But Newcastle colossus Sven Botman has been arguably been the ‘best’ defender in the league and has been a vital cog in the finest defence in English football, while Lisandro Martinez simply has more to his game in terms of his distribution than the World Cup winner, which is why the pair make our combined XI.
Left-back: Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has to win this one
While Newcastle left-back Dan Burn made the cut in Alan Shearer’s Premier League Team of the Season (via The Athletic), the same has not been his fate in our combined XI, as no player is as balanced defensively and offensively than Manchester United man Luke Shaw in the country.
Midfield: Manchester United dominate this area of the pitch
While the ‘fantastic’ Bruno Guimaraes certainly makes the cut as the No.8 in our combined XI, Casemiro has a case for being the best defensive in the world, while Bruno Fernandes has redeemed himself in a Manchester United shirt.
However, the likes of Christian Eriksen, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff have been class acts.
Forwards: 2 Newcastle representatives in our combined XI
Considering United have struggled in the No.9 area, Callum Wilson strolls into the side.
As for the wingers, does it get more easy than picking Marcus Rashford and Miguel Almiron for the left and right wing respectively in our combined XI? We think not.
Newcastle United-Manchester United combined XI: Pope, Trippier, Botman, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Guimaraes, Fernandes, Almiron, Wilson, Rashford
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