Newcastle United have already passed a 35-day test of…

Newcastle United have already passed a 35-day test of character since Carabao Cup final

Just 35 days will have passed since Manchester United beat Newcastle United 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley when the two lock horns this weekend.

On Sunday they meet again and lessons have already been learned about the two teams in a little over a month. The main lesson seems to be that Man United aren't as good they were made to look on that day at Wembley, and Newcastle definitely aren't as poor as they seemed to suggest in that fateful six-minute spell in the first half beneath the famous arch.

Since Wembley, Newcastle have passed a test of character and have not gone missing in a season that should still be spoken about in positive manner. They did lose away to Man City a week later, but the post-game analysis showed that defeat was down to poor finishing rather than a lack of ideas or courage.

And then in the two so-called less daunting fixtures against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest, Newcastle picked up maximum points. To take six points out of nine in the aftermath of Wembley has shown Newcastle have something about them and are worthy of their tag of European contenders.

Perhaps, the big thing Man United displayed in the Carabao Cup final was that they had the edge when it comes to big-game players. For me that was the big take away as ex-Real Madrid star Casemiro put in a towering performance and the likes of Lisandro Martinez, who has played big games at the World Cup with Argentina, and Marcus Rashford got the Red Devils over the line.

Newcastle didn't have much big-day experience or cup final know-how on board overall but should certainly have banked plenty of knowledge for next time, along with Eddie Howe and his coaching staff. It is Man United's form since the final that has caused some people to subscribe in the theory that Wembley was a "missed opportunity".

True, Man United have since negotiated tricky FA Cup ties against West Ham and Fulham as well as a two-legged Europa League tie against Real Betis. But they have also been held by Southampton at home and lost 7-0 to Liverpool at Anfield.

The Anfield mauling demonstrated that there were defensive gaps to be exposed in the Man United rearguard. When asked about the manner of that defeat Howe said before the international break: "I think it shows the exertion of the cup final took out of both sets of players. "It was probably a fallout from that, I guess.

"Certainly it shows you how football can be so unpredictable as no one would have called that result beforehand with the form of the two teams and how well Manchester United have played."

Sunday is a different occasion to Wembley entirely. Casemiro won't have any say on things this time as he is serving a ban.

Man United have played twice as many games as Newcastle's three since the defeat in the capital. They are feeling the strain of the season physically, for the Magpies it feels like more of a psychological test and whether they can triumph as they step into new territory.

For not since 2012 have Newcastle found themselves in contention for Europe in April. This is a different challenge compared to the last decade or so of fighting for Premier League status.

In eight of the 10 months of the 2023/24 season, Newcastle have shown they are capable of fighting for a European spot. It now comes down to holding their nerve.

Newcastle go into the game on the back of a sunshine break in Dubai and have emerged from the international programme with no major injuries. A full house will be roaring the Magpies on and the prize on offer this Sunday will be third spot in the Premier League.

Nothing will make up for losing a cup final, but claiming a place in the Champions League next season is definitely the next best thing to a trophy. On Sunday, 35 days on from Wembley, Newcastle can take a major step towards that.

Newcastle United have already passed a 35-day test of character since Carabao Cup final

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