Jose Mourinho is finally having some great time in the sun with Manchester United having earlier on suffered what pundits called rude awakening. Ironically, he started his Old Trafford managerial career on a good note when he won the traditional season opener – Charity Shield against Barclays Premier League Champions, Leicester City.
Continuing that trend, Manchester United won their first three league matches until Pep Guardiola’s tutored local rivals, Manchester City beat them at Old Trafford in September 2016 to break that run. Things quickly went down the rail for the Red Devils as they lost against Watford and uncharacteristically struggled against weaker oppositions in the Europa completion. But that was then!
Manchester United have qualified for the Round of 16 in the UEFA Europa League and will be facing Southampton on Sunday in this season’s finals of the EFL Cup. Leading to these achievements is a solid record in the Premiership where they haven’t lost in 14 games. They are only four points behind Manchester City who are second on the league table and there is no one in England or elsewhere who can bet against them playing Champions League football next season.
It is this current form and the increasing influence of the trio of Henrikh Mkhitaryan,Paul Pogba and of course; the classy Swede, Zlatan Ibrahimovic that has whole of the red side of Manchester purring like a brand new engine on the chances of their team to do great this term. Some are even of the belief that they could sweep up and win the league if Chelsea dare to falter!
Maybe Wayne Rooney saw that something great is about to happen and he decided to shelve his proposed and almost financially unbelievable move to China. He said he was willing and ready to help his team challenge on all four fronts. Yes; Man U are in the run for four unprecedented trophies – the league, EFL Cup, UEFA Europa League and the Emirate FA Cup. Not a bad position to be in!
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Come Sunday, they will be facing the Saints who have nothing to lose at Wembley. Southampton are currently 11th on the table and 18 points behind Manchester United. This fact may count for nothing when the chips are down. The winner on the day will be the team who wants it most!
Head to Head.
Certain facts also points to a possible upset as the Saints beat the odds to triumph over the Red Devils in the 1976 FA Cup finals. Southampton also had more time to prepare for this tie and fresher. Read more HERE.
There is a player to watch out for in the finals. No; he is not from Manchester! His name is Manolo Gabbiadini. Signed from Napoli in January; he has scored three goals in two EPL matches for the Saints.
Jose Mourinho- Tough customers in cup finals
Jose Mourinho also have an impeccable record in all finals he has played. He has won in 10 out 12 since 2003. This record is shared among five clubs including Manchester United. According to the Portuguese, ‘finals are not for playing, they are for winning’!
It is therefore going to be a thrilling time as the clubs battle for the first major trophy of the season. Heads or tails; there will always be a winner and our game will continue to grow in influence and acceptance.
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