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…

Eric Bailly v Manolo Gabbiadini

Saints’ New Year addition Gabbiadini has begun life in English football in spectacular style, scoring three times in his opening two Premier League outings – including a brace in the 4-0 drubbing against Sunderland.

The Italy international will clearly be a handful, on just his third appearance for Southampton, with United manager Jose Mourinho set to give centre-half Bailly the responsibility of marking the hitman in Sunday’s final.

The 22-year-old, who was voted man of the match last summer during The Red Devils’ FA Community Shield triumph, will be hoping to make it back-to-back victories at Wembley in the space of six months, but Gabbiadini will pose the greatest threat to spoil the Ivorian’s day.

Antonio Valencia v Nathan Redmond

England Under-21 international Redmond was instrumental in helping Southampton reach the EFL Cup final, scoring the only goal of the game during The Saints’ 1-0 semi-final first leg victory against Liverpool.

The 22-year-old, who arrived at St Mary’s Stadium last summer from Norwich City, will be hoping to go one better in the final and could feature on the left flank, if fellow wideman Sofiane Boufal fails a late fitness test.

Therefore, United right-back Valencia will be the main man standing in Redmond’s way, who has enjoyed a terrific campaign so far at full-back under Mourinho.

The Ecuadorian has been ever present for the ‘Special One’ in the Premier League, despite predominantly being a winger, earning plenty of plaudits for his powerful displays in the last line of defence.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic v Jack Stephens

And finally, the prolific Ibrahimovic will be brimming in confidence of scoring inside Wembley Stadium against Southampton on Sunday.

The 35-year-old Sweden legend, who has netted 24 goals in all competitions this season, bagged a brace against The Saints back in August in the Premier League and even scored the winner on his competitive debut for The Red Devils a few weeks before in the FA Community Shield.

With key defender Virgil van Dijk sidelined for the EFL Cup final, the inexperienced Jack Stephens is set to partner Maya Yoshida in the heart of Claude Puel’s defence, despite making just 11 first-team appearances overall for the south coast outfit.

The 23-year-old, who was loaned out to League One side Coventry City last term, impressed in The Saints’ semi-final second leg triumph at Anfield back in January, but facing an in-form Zlatan will be a completely different challenge for the centre-half, let alone a lot harder.