EFL Cup final: Reaction as Ibrahimovic breaks Saints hearts

Summary

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Ibrahimovic heads in for late Man Utd glory
Gabbiadini had scored twice to bring Saints back to 2-2
Lingard and Ibrahimovic gave United 2-0 lead
Mourinho could become first Man Utd boss to win trophy in first season
Southampton looking for first major trophy since 1976

Live Reporting

Shamoon Hafez

History to repeat itself?published at 15:04 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2017
Man Utd v Southampton (16:30 GMT)
Image source, Rex Features
Just over 40 years ago, Manchester United and Southampton met in the FA Cup final. Tommy Docherty's young, swashbuckling Red Devils were expected to sweep aside the Saints - who were playing in the second-tier.
Lawrie McMenemy's side had other ideas, soaking up the pressure and hitting their opponents with a sucker punch through Bobby Stokes's late winner.
United are favourites again, so can Southampton repeat the feat?
The 1976 cup final victory remains their only major trophy.
get involved
Get Involvedpublished at 14:57 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2017
#bbcfootball
Yullaw‏: Manchester United will win today. Fantastic attack v missing central defenders (Fonte and Van Dijk).
Agubata Odinaka‏: The first goal will be crucial in today's final. United generally play better after scoring, Southampton will lock up shop if they score.
The Rise and Fall of Southamptonpublished at 14:51 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2017
Man Utd v Southampton (16:30 GMT)
Image source, Rex Features
Talking of the past seven days, huge Southampton fan Craig David will no doubt be chillin' today.
But in between his coffee rendezvous on Tuesday, the RnB star told the Daily Echo:, external “Southampton is such a great team and we have such an amazing academy and youth set up that, even with a change in manager or loss of players, we can still get something out of each season like reaching a cup final or getting into Europe.
“When you’ve experienced going all the way down to League One, you enjoy the success even more.
“It would be really amazing for the city. We’ve always had a great footballing history and it would be great to come back here with a trophy.”
Basically, he is hoping Saints are Walking Away with the cup at full-time.
Rooney to score the winner?published at 14:42 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2017
Man Utd v Southampton (16:30 GMT)
Imagine the #scenes if that happens.
The build-up to the final has been almost overshadowed by the future of Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney, whose agent had travelled to China to see if he could negotiate a move to the Super League for his player.
However, United's record goalscorer released a statement on Thursday saying he hoped to "play a full part" in the rest of the season for the club.
Ahead of the match, manager Jose Mourinho said: "No doubts, he is involved."
RIP footballpublished at 14:36 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2017
Man Utd v Southampton (16:30 GMT)
Image source, Getty Images
We will have one entry on it and that is all, so here we go...
It has been a tumultuous week for football. "The game lost its soul". "RIP football", said some.
How does the beautiful game recover after a goalkeeper resigned having eaten a pie live on BBC TV and in which the loveable Premier League winning manager Claudio Ranieri was sacked by Leicester?
Not seen anything like it.
Right enough of that, got a Cup final to look forward to.
Image source, Getty Images
Postpublished at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2017
Tottenham 4-0 Stoke
Across the page, there is some Premier League action going on, where Harry Kane-mania is running wild on you.
Spurs lead 4-0 against Stoke at half time.
Head here to follow all the action
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Get Involvedpublished at 14:21 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2017
#bbcfootball
Image source, Getty Images
Who will win today?
Where will the final be won and lost?
Key players?
The floor is yours for EFL Cup final chat.
Hit me up on Twitter using #bbcfootball, external or text in on 81111 (UK only). Remember to put names on texts. Nice.
I want to be in that number...published at 14:14 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2017
Man Utd v Southampton (16:30 GMT)
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Storm clouds gatheringpublished at 14:05 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2017
Man Utd v Southampton (16:30 GMT)
Joining the legendspublished at 13:57 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2017
🏆 Man Utd v Southampton (16:30 GMT) 🏆
Image source, Getty Images
Sir Alex Ferguson won the League Cup four times...
Image source, Getty Images
And so did Brian Clough.
Image source, Getty Images
Now 'The Special One' Jose Mourinho has the chance to join the legends of English football by equalling their numbers.
The first major trophy of the season is up for grabs, as Manchester United face Southampton at Wembley.