Manchester United Vs Newcastle United [2-0] EFL Cup 2022/2023: How Erik Ten Hag Tactics Guided Manchester United To A First Trophy In Almost Six Years – Tactical Analysis

1955 – the last time we saw Newcastle United lift a major domestic trophy.

Back then, the northeast club defeated Manchester City 3-1 to win the FA Cup.

Fast forward 67 years and Eddie Howe’s team have a chance to make history once more, with only Man United standing between Newcastle and the League Cup.

Howe has received immense praise for what he has built at the club in such a short space of time.

After a strong showing in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League qualification is a real possibility for the Toon.

Still, they couldn’t match an in-form Manchester United on the big day, with the Red Devils collecting their sixth EFL Cup.

This wrapped up a very successful week for the Old Trafford club, with this success coming after they knocked Barcelona out of the UEFA Europa League.

In this tactical analysis, we will examine Erik ten Hag tactics that allowed his side to take a 2-0 lead into half-time and analyse what went wrong for Howe’s Newcastle side despite some strong attacking tactics.

Manchester United Vs Newcastle United Lineups

Eventual winners Manchester United went with a 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring a host of changes to the lineup from the midweek triumph over Barcelona.

Diogo Dalot came in at right back to replace Aaron Wan-Bissaka, while the rest of the backline remained unchanged.

The same can be said of the two holding midfielders.

We saw Fred and Casemiro start once again, with the latter scoring.

In the attacking area of United’s midfield unit, we saw more change – Jadon Sancho was dropped to make way for former Ajax star Antony who lined up on the right flank; Marcus Rashford on the left with Bruno Fernandes through the middle.

Wout Weghorst stayed in the lineup to lead his side in attack.

Newcastle opted for a 4-3-3 shape, with a variation of one holding midfielder, Bruno Guimarães, ahead of Joelinton and Sean Longstaff.

The major talking point for the media in the build-up to this game was Loris Karius being called upon to make a rare appearance, thanks to Martin Dúbravka’s cup-tied status and Nick Pope’s suspension following his red card against Karius’s former team, Liverpool, the week prior to the final.