OptiNews - Friday 24 February to Thursday 02 March 2017

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Jose Mourinho reveals triple Man United injury update ahead of EFL Cup final

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Michael Carrick is set to be available to face Southampton

The midfielder had to exit Manchester United’s 1-0 (4-0 agg) win over St Etienne on Wednesday with a calf problem.

But because he didn’t push through the injury, Mourinho reckons he’ll be fine to play for the first piece of silverware of the season.

Although Henrikh Mkhitaryan will miss the clash with a hamstring injury he picked up in the same game.

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Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Manchester United vs Southampton - Combined XI | Southampton will be looking to win their first major honour in over 40 years when they take on Manchester United in … 24-02-2017 |

Older content…

| How will Southampton do in the EFL Cup final?18 hours ago |
| What makes a Saint?2 days ago |
| Exclusive - EFL Cup final interview with Billy Sharp2 days ago |
| Chinese bank CITIC Securities ready £225m Saints bid2 days ago |
| Gabbiadini settling well in England, agent reveals2 days ago |
| Adil Rami reveals ‘crazy’ nature of Claude Puel2 days ago |
| Celtic to rival Rangers in Wilson pursuit2 days ago |
| Forster confident with Stephens and Yoshida2 days ago |
| Saints tracking Harry Maguire3 days ago |

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 24/02/2017 18:54:19

| | Manchester United v Southampton - League Cup final pre team news, match facts, quotes, odds and moreEUROSPORTUK |
| | Jose Mourinho gives injury update ahead of Southampton League Cup finalTHEPEOPLESPERSON |
| | Jose Mourinho confirms Wayne Rooney will play against SouthamptonTHEPEOPLESPERSON |
| | Preview: Southampton vs. Manchester UnitedSPORTSMOLE |
| | Manchester United star Henrikh Mkhitaryan ruled out of EFL Cup final v SouthamptonSQUAWKA |

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Verratti, Moses, Soares: The 10 signings Barcelona could bring to the Nou Camp this summer

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BARCELONA are one of the biggest clubs in the world, but they need to invest this summer.

The Catalan giants have seriously wobbled this season, and look set to crash out of the Champions League at the last 16 after a 4-0 defeat to Paris St-Germain in the first leg.

Real Madrid look likely to pip them to the league title too, so Luis Enrique - or whoever may replace him should he leave - will want at least a couple of new additions to the squad.

CLICK THROUGH THE GALLERY ABOVE TO SEE 10 STARS WHO HAVE BEEN LINKED WITH A MOVE TO THE NOU CAMP THIS SUMMER.

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Caceres could make Southampton bow in EFL Cup Final

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Martin Caceres could be set for a dream Southampton debut in the EFL Cup final against Manchester United.

The 29-year-old defender was signed as a free agent two weeks ago, having been without a club since leaving Italian champions Juventus at the end of last season.

Saints manager Claude Puel moved for Caceres after losing Virgil van Dijk to a long-term ankle injury and captain Jose Fonte, who moved to West Ham last month.

There were concerns over the Uruguay international’s fitness, given that he has not played since last February after undergoing surgery on a torn Achilles tendon.

But Puel monitored Caceres on Southampton’s recent training camp in Spain and is now considering including him in the squad at Wembley on Sunday.

“I was surprised by his good physical fitness, because he can come on the training camp with a good level, good quality,” said Puel.

“He worked hard on his fitness during his injury, and I don’t know if he can participate at the beginning of this game but he can give good opportunities and solutions.”

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Saints v Man Utd combined XI: Do you agree with this team?

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Ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final, where Saints aim to pull off a historic win over Manchester United at Wembley, Sky Sports have released a combined XI team.

Only two Saints stars feature in the line-up based on the Sky Sports Power Rankings - Nathan Redmond and injuried captain Virgil van Dijk.

The nine Manchester United players in the line-up are:

Do you agree with the Sky Sports team? Let us know who you would pick.

Click through the gallery above to relive the dramatic semi-final second leg against Liverpool.

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Manchester United vs Southampton: Team news

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Ahead of the EFL Cup final, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about the fixture, with team news, provisional squads, betting odds and Opta stats. Here is all the information you need for Manchester United’s clash with Southampton at Wembley.

Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick are available for Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Southampton, 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 Southampton squad for the EFL Cup final against Manchester United.

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.

Southampton have reached their second League Cup Final, having previously done so in 1979 when they lost 3-2 to Nottingham Forest under the management of Lawrie McMenemy.

This will be Manchester United’s ninth League Cup final appearance; of the previous eight, they have won four and lost four, but three of those four victories have been in their last three finals (2006 v Wigan, 2009 v Spurs and 2010 v Aston Villa).

Only Liverpool (12) have appeared in more League Cup finals than Man Utd (9) and only Arsenal (5) have lost more finals than the Red Devils (4).

Southampton are just the second side in League Cup history to reach the final without conceding a goal – Tottenham Hotspur managed this feat in 1981-82, but lost the final 3-1 to Liverpool.

This is the second time these sides have met in the final of a competition, having met in the 1976 FA Cup Final. Southampton, then a second tier side, defeated United 1-0 thanks to a Bobby Stokes goal; it remains the only time they have won a major English trophy.

Jose Mourinho has reached the League Cup final three times previously (2005, 2007 and 2015), winning the trophy each time with Chelsea. Indeed, he has the best 100% win percentage for a manager in League Cup finals.

Only Brian Clough (4) and Alex Ferguson (4) have won the League Cup more times than Jose Mourinho (3).

Mourinho has never lost an English domestic cup final in his career, also winning the FA Cup in 2007.

Claude Puel has only reached a major domestic cup final once before in his managerial career, taking Monaco to the final of the French League Cup in 2001, where they lost 2-1 in extra-time to Lyon.

This is Saints’ first appearance at Wembley since winning the Football League Trophy in March 2010 against Carlisle.

Southampton will be the third team that Manchester United have played in both an FA Cup and League final, following Aston Villa and Liverpool.

No player has assisted more goals in the League Cup this season than Henrikh Mkhitaryan (3).

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored four goals in the four domestic cup finals he played with Paris St-Germain (excluding Super Cups), netting a brace in the 2015 Coupe de la Ligue final against Bastia, and another brace in the 2016 Coupe de France final against Marseille.

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Puel drops Caceres hint

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Claude Puel has hinted that Martin Caceres is likely to have to be content with a place on the bench at Wembley on Sunday.

The new signing joined up with the Saints squad ahead of their Spanish training camp in preparation for the EFL Cup final.

Puel admitted he was impressed by the fitness levels of the former Juventus and Barcelona centre half, who hasn’t played for over a year.

But Puel suggested he is more likely to be a sub rather than starting against United, meaning Jack Stephens and Maya Yoshida would continue their partnership.

Puel said: “I was surprised by his good physically fit, because he can come on the training camp in Spain with a good level, good quality.

“He worked hard along with the fitness during his injury and I don’t know if he can participate at the beginning of this game but he can give good opportunities and solutions for us for the future.”

When asked if he could be a sub, Puel added: “We will see this tomorrow.”

Puel also confirmed that Sofiane Boufal returned to training yesterday and will be assessed tomorrow to see if he can be involved in the final.

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

The preparations continue for Sunday’s #MarchToWembley

Watch footage from #SaintsFC’s latest training session: https://grabyo.com/g/v/eK6nc91cO3s

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Sourced from Sky Sports article

EFL Cup Final: The Tactics

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Danny Higginbotham analyses the key tactical battles ahead of Sunday’s EFL Cup final between Manchester United and Southampton.

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Puel: No benefit after time off

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Claude Puel has dismissed Jose Mourinho’s suggestion that Southampton’s two-week break since their last game gives them an advantage for the EFL Cup final.

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Catch up with the key talking points from Claude Puel’s press conference ahead of our #MarchToWembley: https://grabyo.com/g/v/hHTjzQzSJo9

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EFL Cup final tactics: Danny Higginbotham previews Manchester United v Southampton

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Manchester United take on Southampton in the EFL Cup final live on Sky Sports on Sunday afternoon, but where will the game be won and lost?

Ahead of the eagerly-anticipated Wembley encounter, Sky Sports pundit Danny Higginbotham has provided his expert tactical preview of the game.

The former defender explains how Manchester United could exploit the gaps behind Southampton’s defence, with the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford running beyond Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Higginbotham also discusses the role of United’s “unsung hero” Antonio Valencia, whose overlapping runs on the right will make life difficult for Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand.

As well as analysing United’s attacking threat, Higginbotham also assesses Southampton, with a particular focus on new signing Manolo Gabbiadini, who has netted three goals in his first two appearances for Claude Puel’s side.

“There are a lot of tactical battles that will unfold during the game,” said Higginbotham. “I do fancy Manchester United to win it, but you just never know on the day.”

Watch Danny Higginbotham’s tactical preview above and tune in to the EFL Cup final from 3.45pm on Sky Sports 1 HD on Sunday.

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Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Manchester United vs Southampton: EFL Cup Final Predicted XI | So, the weekend of the EFL Cup final is finally upon us! On Sunday, Southampton will meet Manchester United at … 24-02-2017 |

Older content…

| Manchester United vs Southampton - Combined XI19 hours ago |
| How will Southampton do in the EFL Cup final?19 hours ago |
| What makes a Saint?2 days ago |
| Exclusive - EFL Cup final interview with Billy Sharp2 days ago |
| Chinese bank CITIC Securities ready £225m Saints bid2 days ago |
| Gabbiadini settling well in England, agent reveals2 days ago |
| Adil Rami reveals ‘crazy’ nature of Claude Puel2 days ago |
| Celtic to rival Rangers in Wilson pursuit2 days ago |
| Forster confident with Stephens and Yoshida2 days ago |

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 24/02/2017 19:54:28

|

| SAINTS FINAL PUSH AHEAD OF WEMBLEY FINALE - Southampton FCDUGOUT |
| | Speaking with the Enemy: A Southampton fan’s view of the League Cup finalSBNATIONTHEBUSBYBABE |
| | Former Southampton Player Says Van Dijk Most Likely Headed to Liverpool | FutnSoccerFUTNSOCCER |
| | Caceres to make debut in EFL Cup final?SPORTSMOLE |

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

We’ve got some new #SaintsFC @Snapchat stickers for you ahead of our #MarchToWembley! :ghost:

Find out how to get the la… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/835217770748997632

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Manchester United squad vs Southampton revealed

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Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick are available for Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Southampton, 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.

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Martin Caceres in contention for dream Southampton debut against Manchester United in EFL Cup final

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Martin Caceres could be set for a dream Southampton debut in the EFL Cup final against Manchester United.

The 29-year-old defender was signed as a free agent two weeks ago, having been without a club since leaving Italian champions Juventus at the end of last season.

Saints manager Claude Puel moved for Caceres after losing Virgil van Dijk to a long-term ankle injury and captain Jose Fonte, who moved to West Ham last month.

There were concerns over the Uruguay international’s fitness, given that he has not played since last February after undergoing surgery on a torn Achilles tendon.

But Puel monitored Caceres on Southampton’s recent training camp in Spain and is now considering including him in the squad at Wembley on Sunday.

“I was surprised by his good physical fitness, because he can come on the training camp with a good level, good quality,” said Puel.

“He worked hard on his fitness during his injury, and I don’t know if he can participate at the beginning of this game but he can give good opportunities and solutions.”

Puel could also be boosted by the return of winger Sofiane Boufal.

Southampton’s club record signing suffered an ankle injury during the 3-1 home defeat by West Ham three weeks ago, but resumed training on Thursday.

“We will see on Saturday with Boufal,” added the Frenchman. “He came back with the team yesterday and we will see if he will be fit for this game.”

Puel will be bidding to secure Southampton’s first major trophy since they lifted the FA Cup, under Lawrie McMenemy against the same opposition, 41 years ago.

“Of course it’s important for us and it’s important for Manchester also,” he said.

"It’s been a very good journey and interesting to see the philosophy of the club.

"It’s a good moment for the fans and I hope we can give them pleasure and joy at this match.

“I know the last time Southampton can win a cup was in 1976 against Manchester. It’s a long time and it would be fantastic to take a good result.

"I think it’s important and I can understand of course all the good atmosphere around the team and the fans. But it’s important for us to keep focused and with a good concentration about the game and not what happens after the game.

“We have to keep the good attitude and good spirit.”

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Puel wants to reward Saints fans

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Saints last won a major trophy in 1976, when Bobby Stokes’ 83rd minute goal was enough to see off Sunday’s opponents in the FA Cup.

And Puel is hoping history can repeat itself to complete a remarkable journey in their League cup campaign.

“Of course it is a great moment for the fans and I hope we can give them pleasure and joy to see this game.

“I know the last time Southampton can win a cup was in 1976 against Manchester. It’s a long time and it will be fantastic to take a good result.

“I think it’s important and I can understand of course all the good atmosphere around the team and the fans, but it’s important for us to keep focused and with a good concentration about the game and not what happens after the game.

“We have to keep the good attitude and good spirit.”

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Press Conference (Part One): Puel previews EFL Cup final

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