Southampton produced a battling display but ultimately fell just short of their first League Cup title at Wembley on Sunday.

Claude Puel’s men found themselves unfortunate to go 2-0 down to Manchester United, with strikes from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Jesse Lingard giving the Red Devils a cushion, yet a fine Manolo Gabbiadini brace, the second of particular quality, brought them back level.

And, although they hit the post through Oriol Romeu and created other chances to get the third, Ibrahimovic headed home three minutes from time to settle a frantic and thrilling final.

It means that the Saints will have to wait another year to win their first League Cup title, as they added Sunday’s runner-up finish to their only other one in 1979, where they lost to Nottingham Forest by the same scoreline.

Nonetheless, it was a fantastic effort from Puel’s men, who will have to translate that fine display into more of their Premier League matches in a bid to secure a fourth successive top half finish in the top-flight.

They are currently 13th in the division, but with 13 games to go, they have every chance of reaching the top ten, and some players have every chance of securing their futures at St Mary’s should they finish the season strongly.

So, with that in mind, here are THREE Southampton players who will be fighting for their futures at the club between now and May…

Cuco Martina

Cedric Soares appears to have nailed down the right-back spot at Southampton, which isn’t good news for Cuco Martina.

The 27-year-old hasn’t started a Premier League game for the Saints since their 2-1 defeat at home to West Brom on New Year’s Eve, and wasn’t included in the matchday squad for the League Cup final defeat to Manchester United last weekend.

With just six league starts this term, and having only played in the FA Cup since the turn of the year, Martina will have to fight particularly hard to get back into the first team reckoning, as well as to be at St Mary’s next season, given that his contract expires this summer.

With Soares in such good form, it’s going to be tough for the 27-year-old, but his future at the club is on the line over the coming months, so if and when he does play, he has to take his chance.

Alex McCarthy

It seems a bit harsh to suggest that Alex McCarthy’s future at Southampton is in doubt, given that he has been injured for much of the campaign, but if he isn’t able to force his way past Fraser Forster between now and May, he might not ever get regular football at the club.

That’s because, although England international Forster has done reasonably well this term, he has struggled for confidence and has made a few errors, notably against Crystal Palace in December and indeed Tottenham later on that month.

McCarthy himself is a very adept goalkeeper at this level, as illustrated during his time at Reading, Palace and Queens Park Rangers, yet injuries have wrecked his progress this term, and it may even impact on his long-term future at the club.

Nonetheless, he needs gametime, otherwise he himself, or the club, may have to decide his future in the summer.

Shane Long

Another one that’s debatable, but there were rumours surrounding Shane Long’s future during the January transfer window, and the arrival of Manolo Gabbiadini is unlikely to quash that speculation come the summer.

The Italian international has already netted five goals in just three games for the Saints, the same as Irishman Long this term, and he looks set to lead the line for the rest of the campaign in Charlie Austin’s absence.

With Nathan Redmond a regular starter in a more advanced role, that leaves Jay Rodriguez and Long as the other forwards at the club and, although both have started seven Premier League games this season, most of Rodriguez’s have come recently, suggesting that he is ahead in the pecking order.

That means that 30-year-old Long has some work to do to prove to Puel of his capabilities, so when he does indeed get on the pitch between now and May, he has to perform, otherwise he may see his Saints career come to an end this summer.