The ‘advantage’ Newcastle United have over Manchester United - despite Nick Pope blow

Former England and Premier League goalkeeper Rob Green believes Newcastle United hold an advantage over Manchester United ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

The Magpies are building-up to their first Wembley final in 24 years - but the excitement has been a little overshadowed in the early part of the week after Nick Pope’s red card against Liverpool.

The 30-year-old was sent off in the 22nd minute for a handball from Alisson’s long ball to Mohamed Salah and as a result will serve his one-match ban this weekend.

Read more: Sign up to our NUFC newsletter for team news, cup build-up and more

Asked if Pope should miss the final, Green replied: “Absolutely not. No, different competition.”

But despite the loss of their No.1, the former West Ham and Leeds United shotstopper insists Newcastle head to Wembley better prepared with Man United facing Barcelona in the Europa League at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

Green told BBC Football Daily: “We’re looking at the game thinking ‘what an advantage Newcastle have over Manchester United’ in terms of they have to play Barcelona in the week and travel to Wembley. Newcastle have a full week to prepare.

“I bet Nick Pope is just wishing there was a game between now and Sunday. It’s such an unfortunate one, the first-ever sending off in his career.

“It was awkward, it was really unfortunate. You look at the circumstance in the game - I’ve got the fastest red card for England - and the feedback when I got sent off was ‘let him score, there are only 10 minutes gone, we can come back with 11 men’.

“Hindsight is very easy and at the moment it’s nigh-on impossible but you’re already 2-0 down, just let it be 3-0.”

Follow the latest Newcastle United headlines as we build up to the Carabao Cup final with our FREE email newsletter. All of the NUFC news you need all in one place. Visit our website here to sign up for yours. Howay The Lads!