The numbers behind Manchester United’s 2022/23 Carabao Cup run

The Carabao Cup final is fast approaching, and Manchester United have a chance for silverware for the first time under Erik Ten Hag.

It has been a superb Carabao Cup campaign so far, and Manchester United will be hoping to go all the way and cap it off with the club’s sixth League Cup title.

Here is a look at the numbers behind United’s Carabao Cup campaign this season.

The Road to Wembley

3^rd Round – Manchester United 4 – 2 Aston Villa

4^th Round – Manchester United 2 – 0 Burnley

Quarter-Final – Manchester United 3 – 0 Charlton

Semi-Final 1^st Leg – Nottingham Forest 0 – 3 Manchester United

Semi-Final 2^nd Leg – Manchester United 2 – 0 Nottingham Forest

Total Goals Scored – 14

The Red Devils have scored 14 times in this season’s Carabao Cup. The best of the 14 came, unsurprisingly, from Marcus Rashford. He scored two unbelievable solo goals in two separate games.

The first came against Burnley in United’s first game back after the World Cup. He got the ball in United’s half, and carried it all the way to Burnley’s penalty area, before beating a defender and beating the goalkeeper at the far post.

The second came in the first leg of the semi-final at the City Ground against Nottingham Forest. It was an incredibly similar goal from United’s number 10. Rashford picked the ball in up his own half, beat a couple of defenders, and fired home at the near post to give United an early lead.

Top Goal Scorer – Marcus Rashford (5)

Marcus Rashford’s incredible form this season has carried over to the Carabao Cup. Aside from his two wonder goals against Burnley and Nottingham Forest, he has also scored against Aston Villa and twice against Charlton off the bench.

Rashford has never scored in a cup final at Wembley before; he will no doubt be hoping to right that wrong on Sunday and add to his five Carabao Cup goals this season.

Most Big Chances Created – Bruno Fernandes (3)

Bruno Fernandes has been the Red Devils’ chief creator in the Carabao Cup this season. United’s vice-captain is always involved in everything good going forward, and this season’s Carabao Cup has been no different.

Although he has created three big chances, Fernandes has only registered one assist, for Antony Martial against Aston Villa, a number he will no doubt be hoping to add to on Sunday afternoon.

Most Assists – Marcus Rashford, Casemiro, Alejandro Garnacho (2)

Once again, Marcus Rashford leads the way in another statistic in what is the best season of his career. He is tied on two assists with Casemiro and Alejandro Garnacho.

Both of Rashford’s assists came against Nottingham Forest in the second leg of the semi-final at Old Trafford.

One of Casemiro’s assists came in the semi-final away to Nottingham Forest and he picked up one against Charlton. Garnacho created two goals in one game, against Aston Villa.

The 18-year-old assisted Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay, with the pick of the two being the pass for the latter’s finish. Garnacho played in a delightful cross for the Scotland international to run onto and convert from inside the penalty area.

Average Possession – 65%

United have, on average, dominated the ball in the Carabao Cup this season. This is a real testament to Ten Hag and shows the progress made by United under the Dutchman.

It will be a tougher test on Sunday, but, if United can keep up this level of possession, whilst creating chances to the levels they have in the Carabao Cup this season, the Red Devils will surely be in with an excellent chance of victory over Newcastle.

Total Goals Conceded – 2

Defensively this season, United have been excellent overall, and the Carabao Cup has been no different.

The two goals they conceded in the competition came within just 13 minutes of each other, against Aston Villa in the third round.

Ollie Watkins has been the only opposition player to score past Ten Hag’s side in the Carabao Cup. The second Villa’s two goals at Old Trafford was an unfortunate own goal by Diogo Dalot.

Clean Sheets – 4

Aside from the two goals against Aston Villa, United have kept a clean sheet in every other game in the Carabao Cup this season.

This is impressive in itself, but Ten Hag has used five different centre-back combinations in the five games played so far. This has included Casemiro slotting in ad a makeshift centre-back next to Victor Lindelof against Burnley. Unsurprisingly, he put in a flawless performance.

All defensive options are available for Ten Hag to choose from on Sunday, and United will be hoping to continue the excellent clean sheet record they have in this season’s Carabao Cup.