Richard Keys reveals who he'll support in Man Utd vs Newcastle Carabao Cup final as 'good decision' praised

Richard Keys says he will be supporting Newcastle when they take on Manchester United in the Carabao Cup final later this month.

Newcastle booked their place in the final with a 3-1 aggregate win over Southampton in the semi-finals, while United thrashed Nottingham Forest 5-0 in the last four.

They will now meet in the final at Wembley on February 26.

For United, it is the chance to win their first piece of major silverware in six years.

While for Newcastle, the wait for a trophy stretches back much further, with their last piece of silverware coming all the way back in 1969 in the now defunct Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

Their last piece of major domestic silverware came after winning the 1955 FA Cup final and former Sky Sports presenter Keys believes the Magpies are "long overdue" another trophy.

Keys backs Newcastle for Carabao Cup win

In his personal blog, Keys wrote: "I was delighted to read today than Newcastle will wear their famous black and white stripes at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final.

"Good decision. Do you remember they changed into their Saudi national kit for the game at OT?

"I know why teams do it – especially Newcastle – but there's nothing like watching your team play in their proper kit on big days out.

"So black and white stripes it is. And I have to admit I hope they win it. They're long overdue."

Manchester United will head into the final as slight favourites, with Erik ten Hag's side currently five points and one place above Newcastle in the Premier League table.

Speaking after the semi-final win over Southampton, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said his players should not be satisfied with reaching the final.

"You always want something. We've achieved what we wanted to achieve, which was getting to the final, but then you say, 'Well, I'm not happy with that, we want to win it'," said Howe.

"I think that's a great thing and I want my players to feel the same way.

"We really want to embrace our past and be very proud of what's happened here before, but we also want to create new history for ourselves so that's what we're determined to do."

Topics: Manchester United, Newcastle United, Football, Carabao Cup, EFL Cup

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

@rory_ocallaghan