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EFL Cup final: Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho backs Wayne Rooney to lift the trophy
JOSE MOURINHO has hinted Wayne Rooney will lift the trophy if Manchester United win the EFL Cup today (4.30pm) - even if he does not play a minute for Manchester United against Southampton.
Mourinho hints Carrick and Mkhitaryan could miss final
The England international is in contention to start at Wembley, despite having missed Manchester United’s last six games through injury.
If Wayne Rooney doesn’t play, Michael Carrick or Chris Smalling could lead the line.
But Jose Mourinho suggested Rooney could still get his hands on the trophy even if he doesn’t play.
Mourinho said: "He's our captain, playing or being on the bench or being on the bench and coming on, or starting and leaving the pitch - he's always our captain."
Jose Mourinho has tipped Wayne Rooney to lift the trophy if Manchester United win
Wayne Rooney has missed Manchester United's last six matches
He's our captain, playing or being on the bench or being on the bench and coming on, or starting and leaving the pitch - he's always our captain
But the United manager laughed as he added: "If we win, I don't care who lifts the cup."
United are without Henrikh Mkhitaryan though injury and the Portuguese boss is yet to make a decision on who will replace him in the starting XI.
Rooney could start in the No.10 role if Mourinho chooses a formation that plays to the 31-year-old’s strengths.
"I have to make a decision," Mourinho said. "You know that we normally play two different systems, if you want.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan will miss the EFL Cup final through injury
“Sometimes, we play with two midfield players and a No.10, if you want to call it. Sometimes, we play with a No.6 and two midfield players in front.
"Without Mkhitaryan, if we want to play with a No.10, obviously Wayne is this position.
“It's where he was playing with us in many matches, so he is an option for me. A final is a special match and he's an option for me."
Juan Mata could also still make an appearance for the Red Devils this afternoon, despite not travelling down with the United squad yesterday, after he went back to Spain to attend his grandfather’s funeral.
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