Carabao Cup final: Is Bruno Guimaraes suspended for Man United vs Newcastle?

Newcastle United must do their best if they are to end their 68-year wait for a trophy against in-form Manchester United in the 2022/23 Carabao Cup final.

Third-placed United are one of the few sides in the Premier League to have impressed as well as Newcastle, who are currently fifth, during a resurgent season for both clubs.

There was a blemish during Newcastle’s run to the final of the competition, also known as the EFL Cup, when inspirational midfielder Bruno Guimaraes was sent off in the semi-finals.

What status does Guimaraes have for the final? What was his transgression and how long will he be banned? Here’s what you need to know.

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Will Bruno Guimaraes play in the Carabao Cup final?

A key element of Newcastle’s revival during head coach Eddie Howe’s first full season, Guimaraes would be sorely missed had he been suspended for the final.

Luckily for the Magpies, Guimaraes has served his three-game ban and will be available – barring injury – for the game at Wembley on February 26.

What happened to Bruno Guimaraes in the EFL Cup?

Newcastle were eight minutes away from beating Southampton 3-1 on aggregate in the second leg of the semi-final at St James’ Park when the hosts’ tie ended sourly.

A VAR check resulted in Guimaraes’ booking for a foul on Sam Edozie being upgraded to a red card for the Brazilian.

What games did Bruno Guimaraes miss?

Carabao Cup rules dictate bans from the tournament are carried over to other competitions, meaning Guimaraes has missed Newcastle’s league games against West Ham United, Bournemouth and Liverpool.

Guimaraes was perhaps a little relieved not to have suffered the same fate as goalkeeper Nick Pope, who was another star of the Newcastle season but will miss the final after being sent off against Liverpool last Saturday.

When will Bruno Guimaraes return to the Premier League for Newcastle?

The last game of Guimaraes’ suspension was the 2-0 defeat by Liverpool at St James’ Park as Newcastle failed to win their sixth Premier League game in the last seven.

That means Guimaraes should be ready for his Premier League return at Manchester City on March 4. His absence coincided with a streak of just two points from those three games for Newcastle, suggesting Howe will be happy to have the 25-year-old back for the journey to the reigning champions.