Newcastle United and Manchester United's last meeting earlier this season resulted in an Old Trafford stalemate that won't live long in the memory. However when it comes to individual battles on the pitch that day there were a few winners.
Manchester United's marquee summer addition Antony was certainly one of them, as he made life difficult for Newcastle left-back Dan Burn throughout the afternoon. The Magpies' make-shift full-back has hardly put a foot wrong this season but encountered one of his tougher opponents when up against the Brazilian back in October.
Burn is likely to face a different task altogether when the two sides meet at Wembley this Sunday, however, as Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag reaps the rewards of a new system with the Red Devils. Jadon Sancho is now the man in-form for Ten Hag's side, with Antony settling for a place on the bench of late.
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Sancho has been deployed in the No 10 role lately but has also thrived in his natural habitat out wide. Bruno Fernandes is now predominantly occupying the right-wing position, with Wout Weghorst and Alejandro Garnacho also being used across Ten Hag's front four of late.
Marcus Rashford, who is enjoying arguably enjoying the most clinical period of his career, has been used as the club's out and out striker of late but can also be dangerous on the left.
Ten Hag's side keep on grinding out results but the Dutchman has been tinkering with which player occupies which role. In each of Manchester United's last three games against Leicester, Barcelona and Leeds, a different formation or selection of personnel has been used.
The aforementioned group of players seem to be comfortable in whichever position Ten Hag picks them, making Eddie Howe's job tougher this week as he tries to formulate a plan worthy of stopping Newcastle's cup final opponents.
Speaking after Man United's 3-0 win over Leicester, Ten Hag said: "Second half, we play like the principles and the rules of the game from us.
"So we transferred the game plan and then you see we are dictating the game. And with Jadon on the pitch, there was a lot of space in the midfield area to bring him there to get players playing between the lines, get more dynamics, it worked really well, him and Bruno on that side.
"And I think with Wout up front we get better pressing. That's due to the fact we are more controlling, dominating, dictating the game, finishing the game and in the end, is a deserved win. But the meaning of the first goal is important."
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