The EFL Cup Final is almost here and by the end of Sunday we’ll all know the winner of the first piece of serious silverware available in England.
Southampton and Manchester United will battle for the trophy at Wembley, and an interesting sub-plot is both managers’ desire to get their reigns off to the best possible start with a major tournament win.
For Claude Puel, winning the EFL Cup could ensure that his name is etched into Saints folklore, while for his own club it could be an important sign of progress being made following their solid return to the top-flight after financial issues saw them tumble to League One.
Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, is a veteran when it comes to winning the League Cup, with three victories on his CV, but this one could be his most vital yet as he looks to bring a winning mentality in from the off for a Red Devils squad that has meandered since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013.
In the build-up to this epic bout – our Fixture in Focus here at FootballFanCast – we asked Man United supporters which Southampton stars they would welcome into their own squad, and here are the top THREE…
3) Dusan Tadic
Often overlooked in the great debate regarding the Premier League’s top playmakers, Tadic has been a huge hit at Southampton since his 2014 arrival. Signed to replace Adam Lallana, the Serbian, although he blows hot and cold, has been excellent on the south coast, combining a fine eye for a pass and a goalscoring touch with clever movement and fine all-round technique.
Where he would fit into the Man United team remains another issue, but not as much of a problem as it is with the next man on this list…
2) Fraser Forster
Man United have, arguably, the best goalkeeper in the country in David de Gea and a fine No.2 in Sergio Romero, but the Saints star those who voted in our poll want second most is Forster. The former Celtic man has been a big hit since swapping Scottish football for the English game, with his commanding presence a standout trait. He may be a little weak in terms of shot-stopping, but he’s certainly at the upper end of the Premier League’s goalkeeping ranking.
1) Virgil van Dijk
No.1 is no shock at all. Van Dijk has really kicked on this season under Puel, building on an excellent debut campaign at St Mary’s Stadium last term, with his sheer physicality and technique making him one of the division’s standout defenders. Man United fans clearly want him amid their own defensive issues and they’ll be glad that injury means he’ll be watching on from the stands at Wembley.
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