07 February 2023 , 22:23
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Kieran Trippier is planning to turn the tables on Marcus Rashford when the two England colleagues face off in the EFL Cup final later in February.
The Newcastle right-back, 32, believes attack is the best form of defence to contain one of the most in-form players in the country at Wembley Stadium. Rashford, 25, has scored in six of the Red Devils' last seven Premier League games, taking his tally for the season to 19 in all competitions with his decisive strike against Crystal Palace last weekend.
Keeping the Old Trafford talisman at bay will be no easy task when Newcastle lock horns with Manchester United on 26 February, but Trippier has already worked out his game plan to nullify his international colleague.
Asked how he will defend against Rashford, Trippier told the Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE YouTube channel: "Yeah, it's gonna be important. It's about the areas of the pitch where I can get tight, when I can stand off.
"But I can't be worried about him, I need to make him chase me going back to his goal. I need to be on the front foot, I need to be positive in my thinking about pushing back. I need to keep him pinned back as much as I can so he's not a threat near our goal. That's going to be hard, that's going to be difficult, but I'll do everything I can to make him follow me and track me back."
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Marcus Rashford's new celebration has been a common sight in 2023 (Getty Images)Rashford had to settle for an appearance off the bench as Newcastle earned a point with a goalless draw at Old Trafford in the league back in October. Fast forward two months and the boyhood Red Devil has made himself indispensable for boss Erik ten Hag with his purple patch in front of goal.
Trippier is equally important for Newcastle manager Eddie Howe with his marshalling of the best defence in the top flight, which has only conceded 12 goals in 21 games this season. The former Tottenham and Atletico Madrid defender is a valuable asset going forward, too, and has registered one goal and seven assists in his 28 appearances in all competitions.
Three of those assists have come during Newcastle's run to the EFL Cup final, which presents the Magpies with the chance to end their 54-year trophy drought. Howe's side defeated Tranmere Rovers, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Leicester and Southampton over two legs to reach Wembley.
The Red Devils, meanwhile, beat Aston Villa, Burnley, Charlton and Nottingham Forest over two legs. Rashford scored five goals across those five games.