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 18:27 · Sam Dymond]

Some trio.

[26 February 2017 18:31 · Sam Dymond]

Manchester United's two-goal hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been speaking on the pitch at the final whistle...

It was nice. It was very nice. We were leading 2-0, but they pulled it back and we looked a bit tired, but I got the opportunity at the end and scored. I came to win and I'm winning. It's what keeps me going because I get such satisfaction from winning.

[26 February 2017 18:36 · Sam Dymond]

[26 February 2017 19:06 · Sam Dymond]

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney lifts the EFL Cup...

...despite not getting on the pitch.

[26 February 2017 19:13 · Sam Dymond]

[26 February 2017 19:14 · Sam Dymond]

[26 February 2017 19:30 · Sam Dymond]

That's all from a dramatic day at Wembley where Southampton have won many plaudits - but Manchester United have won the cup. 

And it's only right that the final words are with the man who settled the contest - Zlatan Ibrahmimovic. When asked at full-time whether the dramatic finale exceeded his expectations, he replied "No, this is what I predicted. I am a winner."

He most certainly is.