Southampton vs Manchester United: Wayne Rooney given green light to lift the EFL Cup – even if he does not play at Wembley

WAYNE ROONEY has the green light to lift the EFL Cup, even if he does not play at Wembley.

The Manchester United skipper is in the squad to face Southampton in today’s final, with no guarantees of playing a part.

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But he will lead the celebrations if Jose Mourinho’s men win the first major trophy of the domestic season.

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United boss Mourinho said: “If we win, I don’t care who lifts the cup. I just want to win the match.

“He is our captain but I don’t think he cares, I don’t think anyone does. We just want to win.”

Michael Carrick is set to skipper United.

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 LIKELY LINE-UPS — MAN UTD: De Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Smalling, Blind, Herrera, Carrick, Pogba, Mata, Ibrahimovic, Martial.

 SOUTHAMPTON: Forster, Cedric, Yoshida, Stephens, Bertrand, Romeu, Davis, Redmond, Tadic, Ward-Prowse, Gabbiadini.