Manchester United and Southampton go head-to-head at Wembley this afternoon in the EFL Cup final.
Though Man United are competing on all four fronts, this certainly provides the best opportunity for Jose Mourinho to lift a piece of silverware in his debut season at Old Trafford. The League Cup, or Capital One Cup as it is now known, was the first trophy he lifted in both of his previous stints in England – both times he went on to lift the league title.
For Southampton, today’s game could be a pivotal moment in the club’s history. The Saints have gone over 40 years without lifting a major trophy, and Claude Puel’s side will be looking to end that barren run today. It will also grant them access into the Europa League next campaign, which is an added incentive.
There are no surprises in the Southampton lineup, with Puel, predictably, naming his strongest starting eleven. Henrikh Mkhitaryan misses out through injury for Man United, Juan Mata has flown home early from his grandfathers funeral to start today. Jesse Lingard, who scored at Wembley in the FA Cup final last season, is given a shot from the start today. Here’s how both sides line up in full:
The #MUFC team for today’s #EFLCup final! pic.twitter.com/bdU8zUd2Hp
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 26, 2017
The teams are in!
Here’s how #SaintsFC line up for today’s #EFLCupFinal against #MUFC at Wembley: pic.twitter.com/IFGC9qp8yd
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 26, 2017