Manchester United are strong favourites for this weekend’s EFL Cup final. Jose Mourinho’s men have built momentum in 2017 and are on course for a silverware-heavy season. Southampton lie in their way as they look to lift the first domestic trophy of the 2016/17 campaign.

The Saints should not be underestimated. They did an excellent job on Liverpool to progress through to the final and, while their league form has been indifferent for much of this season, they have proven themselves as a regular top half Premier League outfit. Claude Puel had big shoes to fill as Ronald Koeman left for Everton last summer, but taking them to a cup final is something not even the highly regarded Dutchman could manage.

Mourinho’s team will be full strength for this encounter having breezed past Saint-Etienne on Thursday night. That full strength team includes some of the world’s best players and looks a mismatch on paper with an albeit talented Southampton side.

As we know, though, football is about more than the sum of parts. Southampton must do these three things if they are to have a chance…

Track Valencia

Juan Mata will start as the nominal right-winger for Manchester United on Sunday. His positions on the pitch will be more similar to a number 10, however, with Antonio Valencia providing the width down the right flank for Manchester United.

The former Wigan man has a superb engine which sees him fly up and down the wing. Powerful and crossing the ball as well as he ever has done in his long career at the Red Devils, Valencia is a key outlet for Manchester United. Southampton’s left winger must make sure they follow his marauding runs down the wing to avoid him being allowed open crossing opportunities.

Close the Lines

Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (injury permitting) feed off receiving the ball on the half-turn between the opposition’s midfield and defence. From this position, the two players can wreak havoc with mazy dribbles or short, incisive passes.

Southampton must find a way to at the very least limit their influence if they are to have any chance in the EFL Cup final. Mkhitaryan has been the spark that has reignited this Manchester United attack, Saints need to play at least one player in a deep-lying midfield role to pick up the intelligent positions the Armenian takes up.

Defence has to be the beginning of Southampton’s plans this weekend.

Be a threat

As much as defence will dominate Southampton’s plans, they cannot afford to be too negative. It is easy to be in awe of some of the football Manchester United have played this season, as well as the names on the team sheet, but Saints must offer a threat themselves.

If they allow Manchester United to dictate the pace of the game and commit all of their team to attacking it is a matter of time until Mourinho’s side dominate.