The goalkeeping situation has been the major talking point surrounding Newcastle United this week ahead of tomorrow’s League Cup final, with Magpies boss Eddie Howe dealt an unwelcome headache following Nick Pope’s red card in the recent defeat to Liverpool.
While the suspension has dampened the mood ahead of Sunday’s match against Manchester United, one notable positive for the Tynesiders will be the return of influential midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who has served his three-game domestic ban in recent weeks.
The former Lyon man, who joined St James’ Park on a £40 million deal in January 2022, was sent off late in the semi-final, second-leg victory over Southampton, ruling him out of the last three Premier League games.
Thankfully, the 25-year-old will be able to play against the Red Devils at Wembley, with the northeast side failing to win any of the six games in which the ten-cap gem has been absent this season, with Guimaraes having been ruled out through injury earlier in the season.
That fact has highlighted how important the £120k-per-week maestro is to Howe’s side, hence the significant boost that having the playmaker back in action could provide.
Should Guimaraes play against Man United?
As teammate Kieran Trippier recently stated, the Rio-born superstar is a truly “massive” asset for Newcastle, with the latter having shone in the center of the park over the last year or so.
Despite primarily playing in a deep-lying role in front of the back four, Guimaraes has already contributed nine goals and four assists in 41 games in all competitions for the club, ranking in the top 5% of his European peers for successful take-ons.
However, it is the 6-foot sensation’s defensive ability that has drawn the most attention, with the “world-class” ace – as described by club colleague Dan Burn – also ranking in the top 10% for tackles made.
That quality was evident when Howe’s men faced the Old Trafford outfit back in October, with the midfield menace winning five ground duels and registering one key pass in a ‘excellent display,’ in the words of The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder.
Guimaraes will no doubt be looking to dominate Erik ten Hag’s side again this time around, with the former Athletico Paranaense man likely to fancy his chances against a midfield that has changed in recent weeks following the injury to Christian Eriksen.
The Red Devils will be wary of facing such a “magnificent” talent, as described by club legend Alan Shearer, with the Brazilian potentially set to score.
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