Newcastle are now preparing for the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United on Sunday and Kieran Trippier has pinpointed two stars who they will need to stop.
Erik ten Hag’s side are on a fine run of form in the Premier League and they currently sit eight points above Newcastle in the league.
Newcastle will be without goalkeeper Nick Pope for the final after his sending-off against Liverpool and they will be wary of Man United’s attacking threats.
Trippier is well aware of the attacking threat that Man United pose and he believes that Marcus Rashford is the most in-form player in the world right now.
“I agree, I have always said Marcus is an unbelievable player,” he told talkSPORT.
“I play with him for my country, and know what he is all about.
“He is certainly hitting form now, but, you know we can’t just focus on Marcus, they have other unbelievable players.
“It is a team sport, but Marcus has hit form, let’s put it that way.”
Rashford has scored 24 goals in all competitions for United this season which means it is already his best-ever goalscoring season.
The 25-year-old has also scored more goals than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues since the World Cup.
Alongside Rashford, Trippier also singled out fellow England teammate Luke Shaw for praise ahead of the final.
“Luke has been unbelievable, and for me as a player, I can’t be focussing on individuals.
“I need to focus on myself, team and how we prepare to try and hurt Man United.”
The two sides played out a goalless draw at Old Trafford when they last met in October last year. Plenty has changed since they last met though and the game is set up to be a close encounter.
“I’m pleased the game is here,” Howe explained in his press conference. “I think it’s been a difficult few weeks for us because the talk has been about [the final] even though it’s been two or three (league) games down the line.
“We’re desperate to play in it, do well and do the club proud.”
“It’s an intense week when you’re building up to any game, let alone a cup final because there’s a lot of things you have to do that takes your time and energy.”
“I’m excited by the training week. I love being on the training pitch with the players, and we’ll try and get all our preparations right.”
Man United are understandably the favourite coming into the tie, but Newcastle will be more than happy to play the underdog role and look to cause an upset.
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