It's silverware time again already.

The first piece of coveted titles and crowns is up for grabs this weekend in the form of the EFL Cup as Jose Mourinho's Manchester United take on surprise finalists Southampton at Wembley Stadium.

United overcame a tough two-legged semi-final against a resurgent Hull City. They took the advantage in the first leg with a comfortable 2-0 victory, though were beaten in the return leg 2-1, managing just about to hold on to their 3-2 advantage to take them through to Wembley.

Southampton, on the other hand, disposed of an underwhelming Liverpool comfortably over two legs, winning 1-0 both times thanks to goals from Nathan Redmond the first time around and a late winner from Shane Long the second.

A trophy for the Saints would be the first piece of major silverware since 1976 and would represent yet another successful season for the club renowned for selling their players.

For United though, it is perhaps more important. An otherwise disappointing season can be salvaged by an EFL Trophy win and could give the squad, indeed the manager, the confidence they need to go on and start a new era at the club together.

Here are FOUR reasons winning the League Cup can start a dynasty at Man United ...

Squad Confidence

As previously mentioned, confidence will be one of the biggest things United can gain from winning the EFL Cup.

Once the mickey mouse trophy of English football, the competition is now held in a much higher regard that it has been previously, regaining its rightful crown as a real major trophy of the English game.

United, at times, still don't look like a 'team', rather a group of individuals, but winning some silverware could really unite the squad and give them the confidence they need to.

Summer Attraction

United will want to attract more players this summer as part of the clubs rebuild, and maybe even more importantly they will want to keep hold of those that they already have.

Another trophyless season and qualification for the Europa League will not be enough to do either, as the lure of silverware and Champion's League football will prove too much for both those potentially joining and indeed leaving the club.

Winning the EFL Cup, while not the best possible outcome they club would have hoped for at the beginning of the season, will more than likely be enough to ensure both players still find Old Trafford a desirable destination to come to and to stay.

Europe Guaranteed

United will be certainly hoping that they do not need to win the EFL Cup as a means to getting into Europe.

Some fans will be still dreaming of a potential fourth placed finish and Champions League qualification, while many will be selling for the more realistic expectation of a fifth-placed finish and qualification for the play-off round of the Europa League.

Should not all go to plan, however, and a late slip/run of good form for the surrounding teams sees the Red Devils slip down the table, an EFL Cup victory would guarantee a place in the third round of the Europa League qualifying stages and another season amongst Europe's best. Kind of.

A Platform for Success

Mourinho has won this trophy three times in his career so far, and it’s worked as good platform for success for him at Chelsea.

During his first season with the Blues, Mourinho won the League Cup, and would later go on to win the league with his Chelsea side.

He repeated the same feat ten years later in his second spell with the Blues. While winning the league is almost certainly out of United's reach, it’s an opportunity to pick up silverware early in the season and boost morale.