It’s EFL Cup final week here in the Transfer Tavern and our local Manchester United and Southampton fans here cannot wait.

It’s the first big piece of silverware available in the English footballing calendar and it’s certainly one Jose Mourinho has enjoyed taking part in over campaigns gone by.

It was the first major trophy he won with Chelsea as he kicked off his reign there in style and he’ll be looking for a similar sequence of events to unfold with United, starting against the Saints this weekend.

Claude Puel’s men will, of course, have other ideas about that but our landlord can only see one winner if both sides perform at their maximum.

So, with that in mind, here’s the XI United need to go with to ensure they are lifting the three-handled trophy come the final whistle…

GK: David De Gea

There’s only one man for the job in a final – even if Sergio Romero has often been the cup ‘keeper. De Gea must start.

RB: Antonio Valencia

In years gone by there may have been some qualms over whether Valencia should really be playing at right back. Now, though, he’s fully established there and will absolutely play.

CB: Chris Smalling

There are still some question marks over whether Smalling really is the real deal or not. A big performance here will go some way to silencing those doubts for good.

CB: Eric Bailly

The Ivorian defender has had his fair share of injuries this season but those disappointing days will all be forgotten if United win. He’ll be desperate for his first trophy at the club.

LB: Matteo Darmian

Darmian is growing in the role at left back with Mourinho evidently having more confidence in him than Luke Shaw. Time for the Italian to repay the faith, then.

CDM: Michael Carrick

You need the calm heads in games like this and they don’t come much cooler than Carrick. We’d be hugely surprised if the metronome didn’t play in this one.

CDM: Ander Herrera

The Spanish midfielder will want to earn a trophy here to cap off what’s been a good season for him so far. He’ll be tasked with hassling Southampton for the full game.

RAM: Juan Mata

You need big players in games like this and Juan Mata is a big player indeed. He loves the huge games and Mourinho has to play him with that in mind.

CAM: Paul Pogba

Pogba hasn’t always cut it on the big stage this season so he’ll be keen to correct that. This, he will feel, is his moment to show just why United signed him back from Juventus.

LAM: Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Mkhitaryan has to play. The Armenian has the pace, skill and mental awareness to win games when the pressure is on and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him be man of the match.

ST: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

He’s going to score, isn’t he? Ibra has blown all the critics away with his performances this season and it would be fitting for him to bag the winner this weekend.

Thoughts, United fans? Let us know below!