The 3 key battles as Manchester United face Southampton in the 2017 EFL Cup final

Premier League sides Manchester United and Southampton go head-to-head on Sunday (16:30) at Wembley Stadium in the 2017 EFL Cup final – the 2016-17 season’s first major piece of silverware.

The Red Devils, who lifted the FA Community Shield back in August after defeating league champions Leicester City 2-1 at the national stadium, are looking to lift their fifth League Cup, and their first in seven years.

Meanwhile The Saints, who have slipped down to 11th in the top-flight standings after suffering six defeats in their last eight league outings, have reached their first major final since winning the FA Cup back in 1976 – although they did lift the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy back in 2010.

United will be without midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan after the Armenian suffered a hamstring problem in Wednesday’s 1-0 Europa League win at Saint-Etienne.

As for Southampton, manager Claude Puel will still be unable to call upon long-term absentees Charlie Austin, Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Pied, Matt Targett and Alex McCarthy for the Wembley showdown.

Ahead of Sunday’s EFL Cup final, Shoot! picks out three key battles to look out for prior to kick-off…