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EFL Cup Final: Manchester United's three stars who can help the Red Devils to glory

[Image by Getty/Clive Brunskill]
[Image by Getty/Clive Brunskill]

After some early teething problems Jose Mourinho has now firmly found his rhythm at Manchester United, as they have won their last 5 games on the trot and lost just once in their last 25.

What’s required next is silverware. An EFL Cup triumph over Southampton on Sunday would provide just that, as well as being the perfect precursor heading into United’s FA Cup, Europa League, and Champions League qualification quests.

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Mourinho has previously used the league cup as a springboard to greater glory, with his 2005 and 2015 Chelsea sides claiming both this trophy and the Premier League. While that specific double is unlikely to be repeated this season, a victory over Southampton in Sunday’s EFL Cup Final would be the first piece of indisputable evidence that Jose Mourinho has Manchester United on the right track.

But which three players will be key to helping Manchester United beat Southampton on Sunday? Have a gander below for my suggestions.

[Image by Getty/Gareth Copley]
[Image by Getty/Gareth Copley]

David De Gea

Manchester United fans would like to think that David De Gea won’t be called into action on too many occasions on Sunday. But if he is, it is integral that the well rested Spaniard (who has been given the last 3 games off) keeps Manchester United on an even keel in the contest. That’s because when United have fallen behind under Jose Mourinho they’ve suddenly become indecisive and nervous.

The Wembley surroundings are only likely to make these apprehensions jangle more ferociously, too. Under Mourinho United have won just twice in the 11 games that they’ve fallen behind in, drawing the other three, while losing six. In contrast, United have scored the opening goal in 28 games this season and they’re yet to lose, drawing three and winning 25. It will be up to De Gea to keep Southampton at bay, and the longer he does that the more confident United will be that Sunday is their lucky day.

[Image by Getty/Clive Brunskill]
[Image by Getty/Clive Brunskill]

Paul Pogba

You might have noticed recently that the chatter surrounding Paul Pogba’s record breaking transfer fee has quietened to a whisper. The reason why is simple, over the last two months Pogba has become a tower of strength in the Manchester United midfield, taking games by the scruff of the neck and being the current that they run through.

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Unfortunately Pogba is yet to truly impress in a big game, though, as he was either quiet, ineffectual, overrun or all three in the matches against Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal. As a result of his gregarious footballing personality, when he knows that the limelight is there for the taking Pogba has the tendency to lapse into a cockiness that can be self-sabotaging.

If he can avoid this inclination and stick to his normal game then he should be able to dominate and dictate, and if he does that then he will mute the discussion regarding his price tag completely.

[Image by Getty/Dan Mullan]
[Image by Getty/Dan Mullan]

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Because of course. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was born to play on the big stage. The 31 trophies he’s won in sixteen seasons is proof of that. In just seven months at Old Trafford, Zlatan has scored 24 goals and adjusted to being Manchester United’s talisman so quickly that Wayne Rooney is already cruelly close to being an after thought.

Zlatan will deem it his mission to be the one responsible for Mourinho’s first proper trophy on Sunday, and with so much prior proof it would be foolish to think that he won’t do it, too.