Manchester United star Wayne Rooney unlikely to start EFL Cup final against Southampton

WAYNE ROONEY is bracing himself for Wembley disappointment on Sunday.

Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2017 by Express.co.uk

Manchester United star Wayne Rooney unlikely to start EFL Cup final against Southampton
Wayne Rooney could be set to miss Man United's EFL Cup final clash against Southampton

The Manchester United skipper has missed the last four matches through a combination of a muscle injury and root canal treatment and seems highly unlikely to be recalled to Jose Mourinho's starting line-up for the EFL Cup final against Southampton.

Mourinho has already ruled out the prospect of Rooney returning in the Europa League away leg against St Etienne in France tomorrow and, even if he declares himself fit by the end of the week, the best it seems he can hope for is a place on the bench.

The talismanic Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a certain starter after firing his 24th goal of the season in the FA Cup win at Blackburn on Sunday while United's other front runners, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata, have all scored goals recently, are in good form and appear to be ahead of Wayne Rooney in the queue for places.

Manchester United star Wayne Rooney unlikely to start EFL Cup final against Southampton
Mourinho will be looking to win his first trophy as United boss against Southampton at Wembley

Mourinho admitted on Sunday that he "doesn't know" if Rooney - who has started three games in the last two months - will be fit for Wembley, which could prove his last chance of playing in a domestic cup final for United amid continuing speculation he might leave this summer in search of more regular football.

Mourinho has confirmed however he will continue to give Rashford more opportunities either from the start or the bench after his goal at Blackburn.

"I give Rashford a chance every game - he plays [some part] of every game," he said. "Sometimes people forget, he is selected for every game and plays in almost every one."

Rashford says United will go to Stamford Bridge for the FA Cup quarter-final next month with a score to settle after Chelsea trounced them 4-0 back in October - their last Premier League defeat.

Manchester United star Wayne Rooney unlikely to start EFL Cup final against Southampton
Jose Mourinho insists he is willing to give Marcus Rashford more opportunities to play

"They got one over us so we have to go there with the attitude to win," he said. "At this stage of the competition you will face a good team. We will go there confident of winning the game - that's what everyone expects from Manchester United."

Rashford revealed that the number of shock results in the Cup this season served as a useful reminder for the players that their attitude had to be spot-on at Ewood Park.

"We expect it [upsets] every single year in this competition. You always get the surprises and shocks," he said.

"We can only be ready for every single game and, no matter the opponents, we come with the attitude to win every single game. That's important."