Ben Mee
Brentford defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

This is massive for Karius, what a chance for redemption. I'm sure he'll have nervous energy but he needs to have that focus to play as well as he can.

With Nick Pope suspended and Martin Dubravka cup-tied, goalkeeper Loris Karius is in line for his Newcastle United debut in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester United.

Former Manchester City and Portsmouth midfielder Michael Brown tells The Football News Show that the rules around suspensions need changing and that the final could present an opportunity for Karius to transform his career after his errors drew widespread criticism in the 2018 Champions League final.

Watch The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Wembley Stadium

Manchester United co-chairman Avram Glazer has travelled over from the United States for today's game.

Glazer and his family are still to decide whether to sell the club after letting the Raine Group run the process of looking for 'strategic alternatives' for the club.

It is the first time Glazer has been to a game since that announcement in November.

Shay Given
Former Newcastle goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

Today would be the cherry on top for a good season if Newcastle lift the trophy but it's not the end of the world if they don't win.

People would probably say they are ahead of schedule this season as they compete for Champions League places.

The job Eddie Howe has done is amazing. It would kickstart an amazing time if they did win but they'll be looking to build again in the summer to make the club bigger and stronger.

A slight concern for Eddie Howe will be that his side appear to be coming into the contest during an indifferent run of form.

Their last league win came against Fulham in mid-January and the Magpies have scored nine goals in their past 11 matches.

"I'm pleased the game is here. I think it's been a difficult few weeks for us because the talk has been about it, even though it's been two or three games down the line," Howe said.

"We've beaten some really good teams and been very consistent with our form. We believe the power is in our hands and it's up to us to perform at those best levels.

"I always believe that the history, from my side, is respected but we're trying to create new history with a new team at a new moment. We're determined to try and do that and create some great memories for our amazing supporters.

"They've had a long wait for that moment and I know just from my very limited dealings with people around the city, with people that I see, the love they have for the football club. I'd love to return that love with a trophy."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Wembley Stadium

Erik ten Hag was coy about whether Marcus Rashford would be fit for today's game but it would have taken something pretty severe to keep the Manchester United forward out of today's game.

Rashford has scored 16 goals in 18 games since the World Cup.

Maybe more of a surprise is that Wout Weghorst also keeps his place from Thursday's victory against Barcelona, with Jadon Sancho on the bench.

Anthony Elanga misses out completely from the 22-man squad Erik ten Hag brought with him to London.

Image source, Getty Images

It doesn't look like Newcastle are shying away from their reputation for leaning into the dark arts of the game.

Kieran Trippier has been happily telling the press they'll do whatever it takes to win trophies.

“It’s about when to slow a game down,” the right back is quoted in the Times. “If the opposition are having more of the ball and are on top, of course you’ve got to kill the game. You’re not going to take a quick throw-in and say ‘carry on’.

“Of course, some teams are not happy with us, but it’s about being clever in that moment. It’s about using your experiences and everyone’s doing it, not just us.

“I have experienced it a lot in Spain. I love it. The best for me was [Atletico defender Stefan] Savic, he used to pull people’s hair, even in training. It was crazy, honestly, but I loved it.

“Opposition fans are not going to like it because it’s against their team, but as a neutral I think it’s good to see. I don’t see why everyone’s kicking off about it! It’s good. You’ve got to have it. If you want to win, if you want to be successful, you have to be cute in every single game.”

All those years spent playing under Diego Simeone weren't wasted.

This might add a bit of spice to the occasion...

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag believes Newcastle are an "annoying team to play against" because of their time-wasting.

Newcastle have the ball in play 52.3% of a match, the second lowest in the Premier League this season behind Leeds with 51.8%.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp criticised the Magpies for time-wasting in a 2-1 win in August.

Manchester City keep the ball in play the most at 61.6%, while Manchester United stand at 57.3%.

"I think it's a great team with a clear philosophy about how they [Newcastle] want to play the game," Ten Hag said. "The key word is intensity.

"They do really well. They're an annoying team to play against, so we have to find a way to win.

"They try to annoy you. We have to make sure that we play our game and we focus on our game."

Asked to clarify his comments, the Dutchman added: "For instance, referees want to play effective time. They have the lowest in the league and they are quite successful with it.

"So it's up to us that we get speed in the game, but also we are then dependent on the refereeing as well."

As expected, Lorius Karius starts in goal ahead of Mark Gillespie, Bruno Guimaraes returns from suspension and Callum Wilson starts up front.

Newcastle United XI: Karius, Tripper, Schar, Botman, Burn, Guimares, Longstaff, Joelinton, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Wilson.

Substitutes: Gillespie, Lascelles, Ritchie, Targett, Isak, Manquillo, Murphy, Willock, Anderson.

Marcus Rashford has shaken off the knock near the end of the Barcelona match and starts, while Anthony is in for Jadon Sancho and Diogo Dalot replaces Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Manchester United XI: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Fred, Casemiro, Fernandes, Anthony, Rashford, Weghorst.

Substitutes: Heaton, Lindelof, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, Malacia, McTominay, Sabitzer, Garnacho, Sancho.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Wembley Stadium

Wembley is looking a picture today.

This game means so much to both teams due to their relative lack of recent success.

There is plenty of black and white around and the Newcastle players received a warm welcome when they came out for a walk round the pitch just now.

Image source, BBC Sport

My future father and brother-in-law, Tony and Ben, are both at Wembley today, having managed to bag a corporate ticket for the final.

While they're enjoying a slap-up meal, drinks on tap, plush seats and one of the best views in the house, I'm sat in Salford on a chair with one working arm rest, drinking weak tea and watching the game off a 16-inch SD telly.

Not that I'm jealous at all.

Enjoy the day out, fellas! That goes for everyone in Wembley today - be they Geordie, Mancunian or miscellaneous.

Ps. If you watch the videos of fans at Trafalgar Square last night you might be able to see Tony doing front crawl in the fountain. Only kidding.... it was back stroke.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Wembley Stadium

Marcus Rashford's participation in today's game has been in doubt due to injury.

Well, the teams will be out shortly but Rashford is in the building. He just walked through what will be the mixed zone after the game.

Image source, Getty Images

There is better team news from Newcastle's point of view - Bruno Gumaraes is back from suspension.

The Brazilian midfielder is a key component of Eddie Howe's side and has been superb for them this campaign, which is reflected in the fact he was one of three Toon players to make it into your combined XI from these two side.

In a further twist of events, Martin Dubravka might be ineligible to play for Newcastle but could take his place among the medallists should Manchester United win the trophy.

The 34-year-old played in the third and fourth rounds for the Red Devils during his six-month loan stint, before he was recalled by parent club Newcastle in January.

"It is obviously a very strange situation because I went there, I played two games for them in this competition that's why I am cup-tied," explained Dubravka.

"So many questions (about) who I am going to support! I think it's obvious. I've spent five years here and of course I am going to be supporting Newcastle."

Shay Given
Former Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's all about concentration levels for goalkeepers and Karius' potential involvement is a big talking point. I just hope he has a really good game.

Paul Robinson
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

Karius has got huge experience, we all know the error he made in the Champions League final, but he has played in a Champions League final.

He won't be fazed by this stage but he will be a bit ring rusty, match fitness and sharpness is important for a goalkeeper. He's not going to be running around but it's his judgement that will come into question.

Martin Dubravka, speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle about the club's goalkeeper situation: "It's unbelievable, you couldn't write the script.

"I can't play, he's [Pope] out of the match because of the red card - after so many games playing, to reach the final and all of a sudden he can't play, I feel sorry for him.

"That would be amazing for him, for the club to achieve something like this, but we still have other guys now, we need to support them and prepare them for the match because mentally it's going to be very difficult for them."

Image source, Getty Images

Part of the build-up to this game has focused on Newcastle's goalkeeping dilemma, thrust upon them by Nick Pope's sending off in the loss to Liverpool that ended their 17-game unbeaten run in the league.

With Martin Dubravka cup-tied and Karl Darlow out on loan, former Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius is expected to play ahead of Mark Gillespie as Newcastle aim for a first Wembley win since their FA Cup triumph in 1955.

Karius, 29, joined Newcastle in September, but has not yet featured for the club.

He last played a competitive game of football in February 2021 for Union Berlin against Hoffenheim in Germany's Bundesliga.

Karius is perhaps best remembered in England for an error-strewn performance in the 2018 Champions League final, when he was at fault for two of Real Madrid's goals in their 3-1 victory over Jurgen Klopp's Reds.