EFL Cup final: Key reading ahead of Manchester United v Southampton

Manchester United and Southampton clash in the EFL Cup final on Sunday at Wembley - but who will come out on top?

Analysis, features, tactics... we've collated some of our best preview material for the showpiece to give you an insight into how the game could play out.

Hit the links below for in-depth reading - and look out for pundit previews across the Sky Sports digital platforms before turning into the game from 3.45pm on Sunday on Sky Sports 1 HD.

Danny Higginbotham analyses the key tactical trends in Sunday's EFL Cup final between Manchester United and Southampton

The road to Wembley

Watch how Manchester United and Southampton navigated through the EFL Cup draw and made it to Sunday's showpiece final at Wembley. Click here for the videos.

Combined XI

Southampton are underdogs at Wembley - but how many of their players would make it into a combined XI with Manchester United? We used the Sky Sports Power Rankings to find out.

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Mourinho's cup final record

Jose Mourinho could win the League Cup for a fourth time. His remarkable record in cup finals throughout his career will have Southampton worried.

Puel's route to Wembley

Mentored by Arsene Wenger, the discoverer of Eden Hazard and former coach of Thierry Henry... Southampton boss Claude Puel has a fascinating back story. Read about it here.

Also See:

United's half-time kit change

One of the most memorable encounters between Manchester Untied and Southampton was when Sir Alex Ferguson's side were forced into a half-time kit change at the Dell. We recount the bizarre incident here.

Ibrahimovic's trophy haul

With the first silverware of 2017 up for grabs, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is eyeing more trophy success to add to his collection. We take a look at his remarkable haul.

'Pogba's time to shine'

Manchester United will miss Henrikh Mkhitaryan - but it's time for Paul Pogba to step up, says Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp. Read his preview of the EFL Cup final here.

Rooney's changing role

Wayne Rooney has pledged his future to Manchester United. The stats suggest he still has a role to play as a creator. Could he make the difference on Sunday.

Contrasting midfield anchors

The role of the holding midfielder has drawn plenty of focus recently and in Ander Herrera and Oriol Romeu, Manchester United and Southampton have two of the best in the Premier League. But they go about their business in very different ways. We examine their contrasting styles.

Key battle

Juan Mata has been a key forward for Manchester United this season, but with Maya Yoshida in defence, Southampton haven't conceded a goal en route to the EFL Cup final. But who will come out on top on Sunday?

Best EFL Cup goals 2016/17

Whet your appetite for Sunday's final by watching the best goals of this season's EFL Cup. You can vote for your favourite too. Click here to see those stunners.

Saints will be no pushovers

Sky Sports' Gary Neville believes Manchester United will have to be at their very best to beat Southampton in Sunday's EFL Cup final. Read his view on the game here.

Why Saints can win

Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier provides us with six reasons why his former club can beat Manchester United.

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