Saturday 25 February 2017 13:39, UK
Ronald Koeman admits he wants Manchester United to beat former club Southampton in the EFL Cup final to boost Everton’s Europa League chances.
The Dutchman, who spent two years in charge at St Mary's, also wants one of the Premier League's top-four finishers to win the FA Cup so that his side could still secure a spot in the Europa League qualifying rounds if they manage to finish seventh this season.
Both trophies come with the added bonus of European football if the winners finish the league season outside of the European places, with Jose Mourinho's team taking on Southampton in the EFL Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
"It is true you need help from which team will win the League Cup or the FA Cup," Koeman said.
"In that way we hope United will win at the weekend and one of the biggest clubs wins the FA Cup, because then it's possible seventh in the table can play a qualification for the Europa League."
Koeman believes Everton's involvement in Europe next season could be vital to his plans for strengthening the squad in the summer.
"Players like to be part of Europe and they like to be part of the Champions League," he added. "That is the best for football players but that will normally be impossible [for Everton].
"The first step is to be part of Europe, even if that means being part of a difficult European league on a Thursday or qualification really soon in the pre-season. We would like to do it and be part of it because Europe is the next step."
Koeman, whose team host bottom side Sunderland on Saturday, also revealed that Everton had failed in their pursuit of several transfer targets before the start of the season because the club could not offer European football.
"Some players were interested last summer and some wanted to see how we progressed," he added.
"You will always fight against big clubs with more reputation and with more Champions League competition but I think we are in a good way to get what we want in the team for next season."
