Manchester United vs Southampton - as it happened: Zlatan Ibrahimovic's late goal seals EFL Cup victory

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Zlatan celebrates his late goal

Manchester United step out at Wembley against Southampton on Sunday looking to avenge the FA Cup final defeat of 1976 and, far more importantly, win their first major trophy under the Portuguese.

Last season's FA Cup is the only major success United have tasted since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, but things seem to be going in the right direction under Louis van Gaal's successor.

Southampton were able to head to Spain thanks to a two-week break following their thumping 4-0 win over Sunderland. United, by contrast, have crammed in three games in that time in both the Europa League and the FA Cup.

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Key information…

Manchester United and Southampton meet in the final of the EFL Cup at Wembley on Sunday 26 February, with the game kicking off at 4.30pm.

The game will be shown live on Sky Sports 1, with the programme beginning at 3.45pm.

Predicted line-ups…

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Shaw, Blind, Bailly, Valencia; Pogba, Herrera; Martial, Rooney, Lingard; Ibrahimovic.
Southampton (4-2-3-1): Forster; Targett, Van Dijk, Yoshida, Cedric; Romeu, Davis; Redmond, Ward-Prowse, Tadic; Gabbiadini.

Best stat…

From next season until 2020, the competition will be known as the Carabao Cup after a new sponsorship agreement was reached. The previous seven sponsors are Capital One, the Milk Marketing Board, Littlewoods, Rumblelows, Coca-Cola, Worthington and Carling.

It’s a big game for…

Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to win the EFL Cup (Getty)

Jose Mourinho: The EFL Cup, in its various sponsored guises, has offered a route to trophies for Mourinho ever since his arrival into English football.

It brought the 'Special One' his first success having taken over at Chelsea for his first stint, and he collected another winners' medal having returned to Stamford Bridge.

Could he do the same thing at United? With the Premier League title seemingly out of reach, this could still prove to be the first in a hat-trick of trophies with the Red Devils still also alive in the FA Cup and Europa League.

Player to watch…

Gabbiadini is a man in form for Southampton (Getty)

Manolo Gabbiadini: Southampton's £15million January signing from Napoli has hit the ground running.

Gabbiadini came in from Napoli with Puel desperate to add a natural goalscorer to his ranks and he has hit three goals in his first two Premier League appearances.

He could instantly write his name into the history books of Southampton if he can score the goals that fire the club to the EFL Cup at United's expense.

Form guide…

​Manchester United: DWWWWW
​Southampton: LWLLLW

Odds…

Manchester United to win: 5/6
Southampton to win: 29/10
Draw: 5/2

[26 February 2017 16:27 · Sam Dymond]

The players, managers and match officials line up where they are greeted by the final's special guests and now it's time for the national anthem.

Which, of course, is a shambles. As usual.

[26 February 2017 16:28 · Sam Dymond]

It's what we do, Craig. It's what we do.

[26 February 2017 16:29 · Sam Dymond]

Ok, this is it. The first piece of silverware of the 2016/17 English football season is up for grabs. Let's go.

[26 February 2017 16:31 · Sam Dymond]

KICK-OFF: We're off! Dusan Tadic begins the 2017 EFL Cup Final with a one-man kick-off with his Southampton team kicking from left to right. Out of interest, the Saints are wearing white shirts with a red trim and red shorts with a white trim. Manchester United are wearing red shirts with a white trim and white shorts with a red trim. Well, this isn't going to be confusing in the least.

[26 February 2017 16:35 · Sam Dymond]

3 mins: An early fright for Manchester United as James Ward-Prowse flashes a cross across the face of goal that evades Manolo Gabbiadini at the near post and Chris Smalling at the far. The former arrived too late to connect while the former did well to leave a dangerous delivery.

[26 February 2017 16:36 · Sam Dymond]

5 mins: A first shot on target comes courtesy of Paul Pogba's 20-yard drive following Zlatan Ibrahimovic's lay-off. Two yards to the left or right and Fraser Forster may have had work to do, instead it's straight at the Southampton goalkeeper who punches clear with ease.

[26 February 2017 16:38 · Sam Dymond]

7 mins: United settle down into a slow passing game with Southampton dropping off their opponents. This could well be the pattern the contest adopts for long periods.

[26 February 2017 16:41 · Sam Dymond]

9 mins: A smart turn from Nathan Redmond in the United half opens up space for the former Norwich man to run into. He takes advantage of the invitation, eventually smashing a shot that deflects behind off Ander Herrera. It brings Southampton their first corner of the game, and from it they quickly win their second. Neither trouble United's defence though.

[26 February 2017 16:44 · Sam Dymond]

11 mins: DISALLOWED GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 0 SOUTHAMPTON 0:

Southampton's fans are roaring in delight, but those cheers will be cut short any second by the linesman's offside flag. Gabbiadini thought he had netted once again for the Saints, converting Cedric's cross from close range but he was adjudged to have started his run too early. Replays, however, suggest the Italian was in a legal position when he the ball was played with Ryan Bertrand behind him the man offside. A real let-off for United.

[26 February 2017 16:46 · Sam Dymond]

I'm pretty sure United have had their share of favourable decisions in the time since.