Chris Sutton has backed Loris Karius to complete the dream redemption arc at Wembley Stadium this weekend. Five years after his Champions League howler against Real Madrid, the German is set to make his Toon debut in the Carabao Cup final.
Nick Pope’s red card last weekend, as well as Martin Dubravka being cup-tied, makes Newcastle United underdogs. Manchester United are arguably Europe’s most in-form side and are buoyant after eliminating Barcelona from the Europa League.
However, former Blackburn Rovers striker Sutton has backed Karius to win the game on penalties after a 1-1 draw - a dream scenario for Newcastle fans. He told the BBC: “Manchester United are a club with great harmony now and I have nothing but praise for the work Erik ten Hag has done there, but I don't think Sunday will be as straightforward for them as many seem to be expecting.
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“Everyone is writing Newcastle off because Nick Pope is suspended and they will have to play their third-choice goalkeeper Loris Karius instead. Whether we like it or not, we all remember Karius for what happened in the 2018 Champions League final. I felt for him then, but this is his chance for redemption.
“For him to win at Wembley, and be the hero too, would be a fairytale because it is so unlikely - but you know what, let's go for the fairytale. Marcus Rashford is in ridiculous form for Manchester United at the moment and you have to make the Magpies the underdogs here.
“Yes, Ten Hag's side got away with things a little bit against Leicester and also have to play Barcelona on Thursday while Newcastle have a free week, but Manchester United are clear favourites. I don't care about that, though. I think this game will go the distance and Karius will make the difference, right at the very end.”
Not everyone is as confident about Karius stepping up to the plate. Ex-Arsenal winger Paul Merson, who won this competition in 1993, believes Pope’s absence will “cost” Newcastle their first piece of domestic silverware since 1955.
“If there was one player Eddie Howe couldn't afford to miss in this final, it would be Nick Pope,” Merson wrote in his SportsKeeda column. “He has won them so many points this season. I'd be shocked if Newcastle win this one without Pope in goal. He is that big for Newcastle United. Unfortunately, he is suspended and that's going to cost Newcastle dearly.
“When they're keeping clean sheets, Pope is making big saves. Off the top of my head, in the draw against Arsenal, he made a world-class save to deny Eddie Nketiah. Manchester United are going to create chances and they are going to score goals.
“Put Rashford down for one goal already. He is playing so well that you'll be shocked if he doesn't score in this game. United are the team to beat in the final. Newcastle United are not a free-scoring side.
“They don't blow teams away. If they don't score two or three goals, they are not winning this one. I just don't see them doing that against United on Sunday.”
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