Manchester United take on Southampton in the EFL Cup final on Sunday, and HITC pundits give their predictions on the likely outcome.
Manchester United 2-1 Southampton
Jose Mourinho is bidding to win the cup for a third time and don’t expect him to pass up the opportunity. United are in great form while Southampton have been more unpredictable as of late. The Saints won’t make it easy, but expect the Red Devils to record their second trophy win in less than a year.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho
Manchester United 2-0 Southampton
One of the most unpredictable sides in the league, who knows which Southampton side will turn up at Wembley. However, the absence of Virgil Van Dijk, superb against Liverpool in the semi-final first leg, means Zlatan Ibrahimovic has yet another trophy in his sights.
Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Manchester United 2-0 Southampton
A 4-0 thrashing of Sunderland was the perfect way to go into this game for Southampton, but I’m still backing Manchester United for victory. Jose Mourinho loves this competition, and he has a squad full of quality to call upon. It might not be the prettiest, but I expect the Red Devils to find a route to victory at Wembley.
Manchester United 2-0 Southampton
On their day Southampton can beat anyone, but they are not the team they were at the start of the season and Manchester United should have too much for the Saints. Jose Mourinho will be desperate to get some silverware in the cabinet and will go as strong as possible as a consequence.
Manchester United 2-1 Southampton
Jose Mourinho knows how to win trophies, and that’s exactly what I expect his Manchester United side to do on Sunday against Southampton. The Saints are weak at the back, though Manolo Gabbiadini has offered a real goalscoring threat since arriving. Ibrahimovic, Pogba and co will have too much for Southampton’s makeshift defence, helping secure the first cup of Mourinho’s United reign.
Southampton’s Manolo Gabbiadini
Manchester United 3-0 Southampton
Mourinho is a seasoned League Cup winner and it would be some surprise to me if he didn’t add another to his collection. United are on an impressive run of form of late and have more match-winners now than they have in recent years, while Southampton look vulnerable at the back. This one could be fairly comprehensive I feel.
Southampton manager Claude Puel
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