Mourinho resigned to losing midfield duo for EFL Cup final
MANCHESTER United manager Jose Mourinho has revealed match-winner Henrikh Mkhitaryan and veteran midfielder Michael Carrick are likely to miss Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Southampton.
Mkhitaryan scored the only goal of the game in United’s 1-0 Europa League last-32 second-leg victory over St Etienne before limping out of the action to be replaced by Marcus Rashford.
Carrick also had to be withdrawn, and Mourinho, whose side secured a 4-0 aggregate victory, said: “You can be injured leaving your house; you can be injured in the garden. You never know when and why. “It’s the result of the accumulation of matches you have. You always have the risk of it, but every time somebody is missing it is an opportunity for another one.
“Obviously they are important players for us and not to have them both for the final is complicated, but I think Marouane [Fellaini] and Bastian [Schweinsteiger] – two players who are normally not playing too much – are good answers.
“I don’t say that [Mkhitaryan and Carrick will definitely miss out], I just say what I feel. It’s three days [before the final] – a hamstring and a calf. Even if it’s a minor injury, I think three days is no time.”
Midfielder Juan Mata admits confidence is high in the United camp ahead of the Wembley date with Saints after their comfortable passage to the last-16 of the Europa League in St Etienne. The Spaniard said: “We knew it was going to be a tough atmosphere; their supporters are great.
“But from the first minute I think we were very professional and scored one goal, which made it easier for us, and we’re very happy because it’s not just about qualifying but about winning and keeping us in a good stride – going into the final on Sunday with confidence.
“It was the best way to face a final – qualifying, winning and going into the final with confidence.”
Defender Chris Smalling felt the atmosphere in the Stade GeoffroyGuichard worked in the visitors’ favour.
“I think their crowd helped us to be fair, they made sure that we didn’t go through the motions and it was a proper game and I think we did a good job from start to finish,” the England defender said. “If we can keep this run going, who knows what can happen?”