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#SaintsFC team to face #MUFC: Forster, Cédric, Yoshida, Stephens, Bertrand, Romeu, Davis ©, Ward-Prowse, Tadić, R… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/835873084359987200
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How to follow Manchester United vs Southampton live online
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Jose Mourinho will bid to win his first trophy as Manchester United boss and a fourth League Cup crown when his side face Southampton in the EFL Cup final at Wembley this afternoon.
The manager has made a habit of targeting the first competitive piece of silverware available during the season, having claimed the same trophy three times with Chelsea.
United beat Northampton, Manchester City, West Ham and Hull City to reach this stage, while Claude Puel - in his first season in English football - masterminded victories over Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Arsenal and Liverpool all without conceding a goal.
It is a first final appearance for the Saints in this competition since 1979, where they lost to Brian Clough’s all-conquering Nottingham Forest, while United are gearing up for their 10th outing and aiming for a fifth win.
Manchester United and Southampton meet at Wembley on February 26, with kick-off scheduled for 4.30pm.
The match will be televised live on Sky Sports 1. Alternatively, you can follow all the build-up and action from 3.30pm with Standard Sport’s London Football live blog.
Enter your email address below to be informed when coverage begins.
Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick are available for Sunday’s showdown, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be absent for Manchester United.
United captain Rooney missed the midweek Europa League trip to St Etienne as he returned to fitness, but has been confirmed as part of the squad heading to Wembley.
Midfielder Carrick has overcome a calf complaint sustained in France but Mkhitaryan’s hamstring injury means he is out.
Phil Jones is a doubt due to a foot issue, but Ander Herrera returns to the fold after serving a ban in the Europa League match.
Martin Caceres and Sofiane Boufal are hoping to be included in the Saints’ squad for cup final.
Uruguay defender Caceres could be handed a Wembley debut following his recent move to Saints as a free agent, while club record signing Boufal is battling to be fit after an ankle injury.
Virgil van Dijk, Charlie Austin, Alex McCarthy, Matt Targett and Jeremy Pied all miss out through injury.
Click here to place a bet.
Odds correct as of 12pm on February 26.
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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 26/02/2017 15:34:43
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| Who should start for Manchester United against Southampton in the EFL Cup final?THEPEOPLESPERSON || Giggs: It won’t be easy but I hope we winREPUBLIKOFMANCUNIA |
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| | Gary Neville singles out the Manchester United player who scare SouthamptonMANEVNEWS |
|| Marcos Rojo believes United can with the EFL cup final, Southampton not to be taken lightlyTHEHARDTACKLE |
| | Gary Neville sends warning to Anthony Martial ahead of Man United v Southampton | FootballSPORTREVIEWCOM |
| | Michael Owen tells Jose Mourinho to start this Man United side v Southampton in EFL Cup final | FootballSPORTREVIEWCOM |
| | Ray Parlour predicts this player will score in Man United v Southampton | FootballSPORTREVIEWCOM |
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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC
Excitement building…
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Looking sharp, lads!
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#MUFC XI to face #SaintsFC: De Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Smailling, Rojo, Herrera, Pogba, Lingard, Mata, Martial, Ibrahimovic.
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Impressed with @wembleystadium?
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#SaintsFC’s @OriolRomeu spoke to the media on arrival at Wembley. Here’s what he had to say: https://grabyo.com/g/v/QrdF8wzrYJz
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#SaintsFC XI to #MUFC: Forster, Cedric, Yoshida, Stephens, Bertrand, Romeu, Davis, Ward-Prowse, Tadic, Redmond, Gabbiadini.
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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article
Puel: Fans can be an inspiration
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More than 32,000 Saints supporters are due to be at Wembley Stadium today, hoping to see their club lift only the second major trophy of its history.
Puel is thrilled with the backing his team will have, sparking memories for him of the sensational following they took to San Siro earlier in the season for the Europa League visit to Internazionale.
"Of course, it’s very important,” he said. “I remember all the fans for the European game against Inter Milan. It was fantastic.
“Now there is even more – to have 33,000 there is fantastic. I hope we can give them plenty of pleasure, and that they will see their players play good football and I hope deliver a good result, of course.”
With Saints’ wait for another trophy having now reached 41 years, following the 1976 FA Cup, Puel is aware how much victory against Manchester United would mean.
But the manager explained that the focus of his team must not be on the significance of the game, but simply on how they can win it.
He said: "It’s important for the club, it’s important for the fans – and for the statistics also!
“But, for me, my staff and the players, it is important to just stay focused on the game and what we can do against this team, and what we can exploit. This is the most important thing.
“Afterwards, we will see the consequence of the result of the game, but it’s important to stay focused and concentrated on this game now.”
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EFL Cup Live: Southampton at Wembley
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Karlene Freidl says: “My sisters have gone to watch the match in memory of my dad who died last week and should of been there himself.”
Emma Jayne Nand added: “It would be amazing to win. My uncles, dad and brother are all watching today, along with my gramps whos looking down from above.”
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Revealed: The lucky charm Southampton will have against Man United at Wembley
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The odds may be up against Southampton in Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Manchester United , but at least they’ll be wearing their lucky kit.
The Saints are undefeated in the white garb they’ll throw on at Wembley, having only worn their third kit once this season - in a 3-1 victory at rivals Bournemouth.
United will wear red after being drawn as the home side for the final, while Claude Puel’s men were expected to wear black.
However, the Southampton squad fancied their underused white strip - perhaps it was the 100 per cent record?
The third kit - which combines a white shirt, red shorts and white socks with red stripes - was specially designed by Under Armour for their clash at Dean Court.
Jay Rodriguez scored twice in the victory in December, as Saints came back from an early Nathan Ake strike to triumph over their south coast rivals.
They’ll be hoping it’s an omen that can help bring their first ever League Cup crown.
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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC
Martín Cáceres is named in a #SaintsFC squad for the first time today!
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Watch as #SaintsFC warm up at Wembley ahead of the #EFLCupFinal against #MUFC: https://grabyo.com/g/v/hehHO3wWGDH
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#SaintsFC head out for kick-off in the #EFLCup final at Wembley… https://www.periscope.tv/w/a4GmtTMxOTB8MWdxeHZxQXl6V2xKQrzBSue6NKKqkMIL2taWRXQZLA3Z0SvyhgoWEsg7mP2w
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Sourced from The Independent article
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As Manchester United prepare to take on Southampton today in the EFL Cup final, the club stand on the brink of making history.
Having won 43 major trophies across their 139-year history, United are now just one title away from matching Liverpool’s own record of 44.
While the lure of winning their first trophy under manager Jose Mourinho will surely be enough, the opportunity to draw level with their fierce rivals adds another incentive to this afternoon’s showdown.
In light of this, we take a look at five key aspects of the game that United must focus on if they’re to walk away from Wembley as EFL Cup champions:
Whichever backline Mourinho goes with, Manolo Gabbiadini will be the man to monitor. The Italian has made a flying start at St Mary’s, scoring three goals in two games for the south coast club - but he brings so much more. As a forward who can offer vital link-up play in the final third, while providing threat in behind, the Italian is the sort of hybrid forward who can marry the key qualities of both Charlie Austin and Shane Long. His overall threat has been obvious, having fired off 11 shots in just 163 minutes so far, and his hold-up play has similarly impressed. “I think he lost just six balls of 33 that went to him and for a striker that is very good as there is always little space,” Claude Puel said after the West Ham game. This is a striker who can not only get the ball in good areas but keep it too. If United went to starve Southampton’s options in the final third, and nullify their threat in front of goal, Gabbiadini cannot be afforded time or space on the ball.
Since joining in the summer for £5m, the former Barcelona youngster has consolidated his place at the heart of Southampton’s midfield unit. Impressively, Oriol Romeu has matched N’Golo Kante for tackles and interceptions per game this term - and won more duels, aerial balls and recoveries. Unlike opposite man Ander Herrera, the 25-year-old players a deeper role and primarily shields the defence. With more than 46 per cent of his passes being made within his own half, much of Romeu’s involvement is between his own box and the halfway line. This rear-guard shield will pose a considerable challenge for United and it could require Zlatan Ibrahimovic dropping deeper than usual or overloading the wings in a bid to circumnavigate the Spaniard. However, with Van Dijk out of the equation Romeu will be encumbered with work - something United can look to exploit given the quality on offer among their front men.
Juan Mata will need to have his wits about him today if he’s to exert the sort of influence that has seen United shine with him in the side. With nine goals and four assists to his name, Mata has established himself as a key cog in Mourinho’s side - the fact United have lost just once out of the 25 starts that the midfielder has made this term clearly demonstrates this. But Mata comes up against a defender who, throughout his career at Southampton, has won 11 of his last 12 EFL Cup appearances, conceding only four goals in the process. And despite playing without partner Van Dijk alongside him in three of Saints’ cup games this season, Maya Yoshida has more than proved his ability to step up to the big occasion. As the Japanese continues to enjoy his best season yet, Mourinho will know that the battle between Mata and Yoshida could determine today’s outcome.
The Spaniard enjoyed limited success in an advanced position during Louis van Gaal but since dropping back under Mourinho, Herrera has excelled. Indeed, the 27-year-old has won more duels, more interceptions and more passes than Kante this season, despite playing four fewer games. Herrera’s attacking game has also come on leaps and bounds, with the midfielder making 1,028 passes in opposition halves this season - one of only five Premier League midfielders to make it into four digits this term. It’s very simple: United need more of the same from the Spaniard if they’re to ensure their midfield unit keeps meticulously ticking over against their Southampton opponents.
The last obstacle to overcome will be in United’s heads. A congested fixture schedule has not been kind to the side while Mourinho’s insistence to field his strongest players across all competitions means there will be a number of heavy legs heading out at Wembley today, even before kick-off. As such, Southampton will certainly be the fresher of the two teams after a two-week break in which United have played three games. Mourinho’s men will need to dig deep on both a psychological and physical level if they’re to overcome their well-rested opponents.
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Manchester United statistically guaranteed to win the EFL Cup thanks to Zlatan
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Going into cup finals is a nervous occasion for everyone associated with a football club.
Directors want to win for the club’s history, managers want to win it for their reputation, players want to win it for their medal collection and fans want to win it for the celebrations - or perhaps just the bragging rights.
So you can understand why there’ll be plenty of nerves jangling for the 90,000 Man United and Southampton fans heading to Wembley for the EFL Cup final , as well as for the millions of others watching at home.
On paper it looks a fairly even game - the Saints are yet to concede a single goal in this season’s competition, beating solely Premier League opposition along the way, while the Red Devils have lost only once in their previous 24 matches.
Sadly for the Saints, however, the stats say today’s game is a foregone conclusion - if United play a certain Swedish striker, anyway.
That’s because Zlatan Ibrahimovic has won all five domestic cup finals he has played in - scoring five and assisting another two.
And when you add in the fact that Southampton have never won this competition since its inception in 1960, the omens aren’t looking very promising for the men from the south coast.
Of course, nothing is genuinely guaranteed in football ( even winning the Premier League and keeping your job ) so anything could happen at Wembley today.
But it’s going to be hard work for Claude Puel’s men to rewrite the history books as they go for this season’s first piece of silverware.
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Dusan Tadic admits he will never forget the time he downed United
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Southampton winger Dusan Tadic admits he will never forget the time he caused Manchester United heartache by scoring against the Red Devils on his first appearance at Old Trafford.
The skilful star was recalling the time ahead of the Saints crunch EFL Cup final against United at Wembley.
The two sides will come head-to-head to compete for the first domestic trophy of the campaign, as Southampton bid for their first major piece of silverware since 1976.
And while most players will shudder at the prospect of coming up against giants United, Tadic has fond memories of facing the Red Devils.
The Serbian announced himself in the Premier League by bagging the winner at Old Trafford to see Southampton’s first victory at the ground for 27 years.
‘It was a great memory. We won there for the first time in 27 years, it was the first time I played at Old Trafford and I scored the goal for us to win the match,’ Tadic told the Sun.
‘It was very nice feeling and great memory and these type of things you never can forget,’ the Serbian added.
Tadic will line up against Jose Mourinho’s side in his favoured number 10 position at Wembley, tucked in behind new recruit Manolo Gabbiadini.
And Tadic admits the position is one he excels in, while also being impressed by the Italian forward since his arrival in the January window.
‘I think this is my best position. I also like to play on the wing on the right but in this system, 4-2-3-1, I can have have lot of influence in the game and make my team play better and play better myself,’ said Tadic.
'Manolo is a very good player and adapted very well. I hope he keeps going after his start.
‘He also wants to play for the team and we have a good relationship and I hope after time it will get better and better,’ he added.
Southampton could be set to give a debut appearance to defender Martin Caceres in the final, who joined the club last week and impressed manager Claude Puel during a training camp in Spain.
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Which channel is the EFL Cup final on? All you need to know ahead of the game
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Jose Mourinho and Claude Puel go head to head today for the first major trophy of the 2016/17 season.
Manchester United last won the League Cup in 2010 under Sir Alex Ferguson, who also guided them to success the season before.
In total, United have won the competition four times, while their manager won it three times during his two spells at Chelsea.
Southampton, on the other hand, have never tasted success in the newly re-branded EFL Cup .
But where can you watch today’s game? and what time does it kick off? Here is all you need to know…
The EFL Cup final takes place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, February 26. The game itself kicks off at 4.30pm (GMT).
The game will be broadcast live on SKy Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD. If you can’t get to a TV in time you can also follow all of the action on the MirrorFootball live blog.
Manchester United have Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick available for selection but Henrikh Mkhitaryan misses out with a calf problem.
Virgil van Dijk, Charlie Austin, Alex McCarthy, Matt Targett and Jeremy Pied all miss out due to injury. New signing Martin Caceres could be handed a debut at Wembley, however. Sofiane Boufal is a hoping to be fit.
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