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Sourced from Mirror.co.uk article

All you need to know ahead of Manchester United vs Southampton

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The first major trophy of the season is on the line as Manchester United and Southampton lock horns at Wembley on Sunday.

The EFL Cup final will either see Jose Mourinho pick up the trophy for a fourth time or Southampton pick up their first major piece of silverware for 41 years.

Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City lifted the trophy last year after squeaking past Liverpool on penalties.

Jose Mourinho’s men will start the final as favourites, but Saints have put together a formidable run in the competition this season.

Here’s 11 things you need to know about the clash this weekend.

It all kicks off at Wembley on Sunday February 26 at 4.30pm.

The match will be shown on Sky Sports 1.

But if you can’t be by a television then you can follow all the action on our all-singing all-dancing MirrorFootball blog.

Manchester United saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Michael Carrick limp off in their Europa League last-32 second leg win over St Etienne, leaving both players a doubt for Sunday.

Southampton are still without Charlie Austin, Virgil van Dijk, Alex McCarthy and Matt Targett. Sofiane Boufal is a doubt.

While the Red Devils are growing increasingly reliant on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s goals, Paul Pogba is quietly going about his business and turning in man of the match performances most weeks.

The Frenchman is doing exactly what United paid a world record fee for as he offers a dominating presence in the middle of the park, pulling the strings keeping his side ticking.

Going toe-to-toe against Paul Pogba in midfield will Oriol Romeu and the former Chelsea man will be key to Saints hopes of landing the trophy.

The Spaniard will be key in disrupting the supply to Ibrahimovic up front as he looks to continue his fine form as a defensive shield.

Romeu was forced off with injury against United earlier in the season and it showed.

Manchester United have seen off Northampton, Manchester City, West Ham and Hull to reach the final

Saints got past Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Arsenal and Liverpool to make it.

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Sourced from Reuters.co.uk article

Uruguayan Caceres in frame for Southampton debut in final

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Uruguay’s Diego Godin © kicks the ball near his team mates Martin Caceres ® and Costa Rica’s Joel Campbell during their international soccer friendly match at the National stadium in San Jose September 8, 2015. REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate

The 29-year-old former Barcelona and Juventus defender signed a short-term deal with the Premier League club last week and impressed Puel during a training camp in Spain.

Southampton are trying to win their first silverware since beating United in the 1976 FA Cup final.

“It’s a good surprise about Martín, because he is physically fit and we will see if he can participate for the final,” Puel told reporters.

“It would be his first game in one year, but I think he can give a good solution - perhaps for the final, and for the future.”

Caceres, who played for Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, has been without a club since his contract with Juventus ended last June.

Puel is also hoping to be able to select Moroccan midfielder Sofiane Boufal after he returned to training following an injury that kept him out of Southampton’s last game, a 4-0 Premier League hammering of Sunderland.

“Sofiane comes back step-by-step in the training sessions,” Puel said. “We will see tomorrow. He is better and I hope he can participate also with the squad.”

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Blogs – Fresh Saints

New content from (- Blogs – Fresh Saints)

| Southampton FC’s history with Wembley Stadium | In two days time, over 35,000 Saints fans will embark on their journey to the home of English football. This isn’t a … 24-02-2017 |

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 24/02/2017 20:54:41

| | REALSPORT101COM |
| | Five players for whom the EFL Cup final is massiveFOOTBALL365 |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Smile if you’re on the #MarchToWembley!

View the best images from #SaintsFC’s Friday training at Staplewood:… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/835232083995930625

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Sourced from A tweet by SkyFootball tweet

@SkyFootball - Sky Football

We’ll be LIVE with @fizzer18 & @mattletiss7 ahead of the EFL Cup Final on Sunday. Get your questions in for the… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/835198453894492163

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Sourced from Sky Sports article

Southampton gain no advantage over Man Utd after lay-off, says Claude Puel

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Southampton gain no advantage over Man Utd after lay-off, says Claude Puel

Claude Puel believes Southampton gain no advantage over Manchester United ahead of their EFL Cup final, despite his side not playing for 15 days.

Saints take on Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, aiming to win their first trophy in 41 years.

It will be Southampton’s first outing since a 4-0 win at Sunderland on February 11 and Puel’s opposite number, Jose Mourinho, thinks the lay-off will help the south coast side.

But Puel disagrees, saying: "I don’t know if it’s a benefit because two weeks without an official game is sometimes difficult.

"At the beginning, it’s interesting to give a day off for the first time since the beginning of the season for the team.

"After, it’s always difficult to prepare and to find a good balance and do good work to keep a good rhythm without games.

“It’s a good challenge. We will see, of course, on Sunday but sometimes I prefer to play every two or three days. Sometimes, with an official game every three days, it is better.”

Southampton last appeared in a final in 2003, but suffered a 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in Cardiff thanks to a goal from Robert Pires.

Southampton’s only major honour, the 1976 FA Cup, came against Manchester United as Bobby Stokes’ goal seven minutes from the end gave them victory in front of more than 99,000 fans.

“Of course it’s important for us and it’s important for Manchester [United] also,” Puel added. "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.”

“The most important thing for us is to concentrate on our play. Manchester United are strong, we know that.”

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Gallery: Final preparations at Staplewood

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Our photographer was on hand to capture Friday’s training at Staplewood Campus, as Southampton prepare for their EFL Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley.

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Sourced from Daily Mail article

Martin Caceres could make Saints debut in the EFL Cup final

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Southampton defender Martin Caceres could be set for a dream 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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Sourced from A tweet by BBCSouthToday tweet

@BBCSouthToday - BBC South Today

The amazing @SaintsBrass with ‘When the Saints Come Marching In’ #MarchToWembley #SaintsFC http://bbc.in/2lNW4VH

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Just days to go, #SaintsFC fans!

Remember this League Cup clash with #MUFC, @mattletiss7? #MarchToWembley https://grabyo.com/g/v/zsuqIYa6MOv

Retweets: 1

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Sourced from Sky Sports article

Matt Le Tissier: Six reasons why Southampton will beat Man Utd in EFL Cup final

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Matt Le Tissier: Six reasons why Southampton will beat Man Utd in EFL Cup final

Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier provides us with six reasons why his former club can beat Manchester United in the EFL Cup final.

Jose Mourinho’s men are odds-on favourites with Sky Bet, but Le Tiss is confident of an upset, tipping Saints to triumph 1-0, as they did in their previous cup final success.

Here are his six reasons why the Saints will be climbing the Wembley stairs as winners on Sunday…

We’ve played Premier League teams in every round, including trips to the Emirates and Anfield, and kept clean sheets in every single match. That set a record in the process and now it’s time to make it unbreakable.

Southampton will certainly be the fresher of the two teams after a two-week break in which United played three games, including a strong side on Wednesday in the Europa League. I was certainly happy to see Mourinho name such a strong starting XI against St Etienne.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s injury on Wednesday was a big boost as he’s been a really important player for them in recent weeks. However, it says something when they can bring in somebody like Wayne Rooney, and he’ll probably only be on the bench.

Oriol Romeu is going to be vital in protecting the defence and stopping the service to Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He’s been crucial to us this season and without Virgil van Dijk we’ll need him to help Jack Stephens and Maya Yoshida out.

He’s made a flying start at St Mary’s. With three goals in two games he’s the best in the Premier League in terms of goals-per-game ratio. He’s given us more belief than we’ve had going forward in recent weeks.

We’re unbeaten against United in cup finals! Our only previous cup final triumph was a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the 1976 FA Cup and I think it’s perfectly set up for us to do it again.

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Northern Ireland national team wishes Saints luck ahead of cup final showdown

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SAINTS have been given a vote of confidence by the Northern Ireland national football team ahead of their showdown with Manchester United.

The team, which is captained by Saints star Steven Davis, took to social media to wish the team the best.

The post on Twitter says: "Hey guys, good luck for the EFL Cup Final!

“We hope to see this scene on Sunday!”

The game at Wembley stadium kicks off at 4.30pm on Sunday.

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 24/02/2017 21:54:53

|

| Southampton’s Martín Cáceres could face baptism of fire against Manchester UnitedIBTIMES |
| | Martin Caceres set to make Southampton debut in EFL Cup finalBTSPORT |
| | Southampton player speaks out about Barcelona’s interest, hopes he scores title winner on SundaySPORTWITNESS |

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Rooney and Carrick ok for Wembley showdown with Saints

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Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick are available for Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Saints, 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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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Watch Claude Puel speak with the written media in the second part of his pre-#MarchToWembley press conference: http://sfcne.ws/EFLFinalPress2

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Sourced from Mirror.co.uk article

Good news Manchester United fans… EFL Cup final shocks don’t happen very often

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Manchester United are quite rightly favourites for Sunday’s EFL Cup final, history suggests.

Only two of the last 10 EFL Cup finals have seen the team who were lower in the league at the time of the match lift the famous trophy.

The most recent time it happened was six finals ago when 16th placed Birmingham City defeated second placed Arsenal.

The other time was in 2008 when 11th placed Tottenham beat third placed Chelsea 2-1 in extra time.

There are three more cases of league position based upsets in the previous 10 years.

In 2004 13th placed Middlesbrough beat 11th placed Bolton.

In 2003 Liverpool were 6th in the league when they beat 2nd placed Manchester United, while in 2002 Blackburn were down in 18th place when they beat Tottenham who were up in eighth.

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 24/02/2017 22:55:07

|

| STEVEN DAVIS: Cup final butterflies - Southampton FCDUGOUT |
| | How to watch Manchester United vs. Southampton online: Live stream, TV, timeFOXSPORTS |
| | Defender could look to seal Man Utd transfer on one condition | | Where football transfer rumours fly or die!THETRANSFERTAVERN |
| | Most wanted: These 2 Southampton players will surely be men in demand this summer | | Where football transfer …THETRANSFERTAVERN |
|

| Mourinho hands Southampton huge boost ahead of EFL Cup finalSHOOTCOUK |
| | Puel Looking To Reward Southampton FansVITALFOOTBALL |

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Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Puel hopes Saints can win cup for the fans | Southampton manager Claude Puel has been praising of the Saints fans, and has insisted that he hopes the club can … 24-02-2017 |

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| Manchester United vs Southampton: EFL Cup Final Predicted XIa day ago |
| Manchester United vs Southampton - Combined XIa day ago |
| How will Southampton do in the EFL Cup final?a day ago |
| What makes a Saint?2 days ago |
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Sourced from Sky Sports article

EFL Cup final: Pressure on Paul Pogba to deliver for Man Utd, says Jamie Redknapp

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Manchester United will miss Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the EFL Cup final - but it’s time for Paul Pogba to step up, says Jamie Redknapp.

EFL Cup finalists Manchester United and Southampton will both be missing key players on Sunday - and whoever copes best with those important absences will come out on top.

Southampton have been a surprise package this season under Claude Puel. I really don’t know how they do it every year: they lose their best players, they lose their managers, and still carry on in a good way.

Their result against Liverpool in the semi-final of this competition was a good example. Especially going to Anfield and getting the win, without Virgil van Dijk, was against all the odds. But they kept a clean sheet there and proved they’re a tough nut to crack.

Indeed, if they go a goal up on Sunday, United will find them hard to break down. Oriol Romeu does a great job in front of that back four, putting out fires all over the pitch and gives the backline real protection.

But they are missing the injured centre-back Van Dijk at Wembley and, although they got through without him against Liverpool, he’s a special player for them and, with him on the sidelines, that gives United an advantage.

Jose Mourinho will be without a key man, too. Henrikh Mkhitaryan hasn’t recovered from the injury he picked up against St Etienne and he’ll be a big loss.

However, Michael Carrick has been passed fit and that’s important. I always think in cup finals it’s about getting control of the game. Can you get hold of that ball and make the other team work?

Make no mistake, cup finals drain your legs. They’re very tiring. So, you have to keep possession of the ball and nobody does that better than Carrick. He dictates play and has so much experience.

However, despite the control Carrick brings, there is pressure on Paul Pogba to take the game by the scruff of the neck. And that’s going to be a challenge for the Frenchman.

There’s no doubt at all he’s a great player, he’s got all the attributes. But there seems to be something missing in big games recently. For instance, the biggest game for United is Liverpool - and, in both of those games this season, he’s not had an impact.

He had a nightmare in the game at Old Trafford, in particular - but even in the Euros, with France, we didn’t see him at all in the final when they lost to Portugal.

What’s the reason for that? Sometimes it’s a mentality thing, players can get too hyped or they get nervous and put pressure on themselves because they want to do so well.

We see Pogba on Instagram and he’s a super human figure. But he’s only got the same feelings as everybody else. The nerves can take over.

The challenge for him is to live up to his world-record transfer fee this weekend and deliver a starring performance in the middle of the park for Manchester United.

It could be a big moment for him - and certainly Mourinho will be hoping that by lifting the EFL Cup he can kick-off a new era of success at United.

He’s identified this competition before when he was at Chelsea as a good base for him and he’s taken that to United.

It’s a clever move. Finishing in the top four is great but fans want to go to Wembley, they want to win trophies. And Mourinho knows that if they win on Sunday, the picture of him lifting the trophy will go up on the wall at United.

He’ll believe that will be a starting point, a building block for many years to come.

Two months ago, the pressure seemed to be getting to him but his demeanour has changed and the team looks more relaxed; they are playing with the confidence and swagger you’d expect from a United team.

That - along with Van Dijk’s absence - is why I’m tipping them for a narrow win. Although, they’ll need Pogba to deliver, and perhaps even a moment of inspiration from their big-game player Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

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