Jose Mourinho admits Manchester United could be without Wayne Rooney for EFL Cup final

Manager Jose Mourinho has admitted that Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is in danger of missing the 2017 EFL Cup final.

The Red Devils face fellow Premier League outfit Southampton at Wembley Stadium on Sunday (16:30), although the England international could miss out on the occasion with a minor muscular injury.

The 31-year-old, who has scored five goals and provided 10 assists in 29 appearances in all competitions for United so far this season, has missed his side’s last two league outings and was left out of Sunday’s 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup.

Asked whether Rooney would be fit for Sunday’s showdown, Mourinho responded (via Sky Sports), “I don’t know.

“Rooney is injured. Phil Jones is injured. I don’t think they will recover.

“Antonio Valencia was rested but Rooney and Jones haven’t trained with the team yet so I don’t think they will be there for Wednesday [versus Saint-Etienne in the UEFA Europa League].”

Rooney hasn’t featured for United since their 0-0 Premier League draw at home to Hull City, with the forward coming on at half-time for Michael Carrick.