Chris Sutton has made a bold prediction relating to Newcastle goalkeeper Loris Karius who looks to be in the frame for a start on Sunday.
Newcastle will be without first-choice goalkeeper Nick Pope and they are unable to call upon Martin Dubravka as he is cup-tied.
Eddie Howe’s side have kept things tight at the back this season as they have kept more clean sheets than any other Premier League club this season.
Pope has played a key role in their defensive stability, but Sutton believes that Karius could still make the difference against Man United in the Carabao Cup final.
“Everyone is writing Newcastle off because Nick Pope is suspended and they will have to play their third-choice goalkeeper Loris Karius instead,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
“Whether we like it or not, we all remember Karius for what happened in the 2018 Champions League final. I really 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.
“I think this game will go the distance and Karius will make the difference, right at the very end.”
Following his mistake in the Champions League final, Karius spent two seasons on loan with Besiktas and also had a spell with Union Berlin.
“It would be a magnificent chance for him to rewrite the story of his career. There’s been loads of stories through the times in football where these things have happened and there’s been a really positive outcome or not.
“We can’t predict what that will be.
“As soon as it happened, it was almost that feeling that there’s another story in Karius’ career – another page or chapter to write and who knows what that chapter will look like?
“That’s the beauty of football. We never know what is going to happen. This unpredictability is what makes it such an amazing thing to watch.”
Manchester United are the favourite coming into the tie, but Newcastle will be more than happy to play the role of the underdog.
Both sides played out a goalless draw when they last met in the Premier League and their encounter at Wembley is also expected to be close.
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