Mourinho On Reaching EFL Cup Final

Jose Mourinho told MUTV he is pleased to be going back to Wembley for the EFL Cup final against Southampton next month but was clearly disappointed with Manchester United's 2-1 second-leg defeat to Hull City.

The Reds progressed to the final 3-2 on aggregate with Paul Pogba's second-half goal at the KCOM Stadium proving vital, even though Oumar Niasse added to Tom Huddlestone's opener from the penalty spot.

Although a 17-game unbeaten run came to an end against the Tigers, the result proved enough to set up the 26 February date with the Saints, conquerors of Liverpool in the last four, in a repeat of the 1976 FA Cup final. Here's what the boss told MUTV...

Initial emotions
"I feel happy. We got to Wembley. We had a difficult draw, difficult opponents, difficult matches but we did it. We are there. We beat three Premier League teams, which is not an easy run to be in the final. We started the game and the game was in the pocket, we were completely in control and then something happened to open the game and we then had to cope with the game being open. We did that well."

Importance of the EFL Cup
"Every competition is important for me. Every match is important for me. It doesn't really matter which competition it is but Wembley is Wembley. Wembley has, for professionals with passion for football, a special meaning and a special feeling. Of course, I'm happy to be there and happy to bring many thousands of our fans. I think also, for them, this is something that they always remember - going to Wembley."

Deserved victors
"They [Hull] were a very good team in both matches but we have more power. We were the best team. We could have scored lots of goals in the first match and, today, as I was saying, the game was under control so we deserve to be in the final. I congratulate my players but I don’t want to analyse the performance too much."

The finest travelling support
"They were the best. Unbelievable! I don't know if it was passion or the cold, or both together, but they were absolutely magnificent. I have no words for that incredible support."

Another Cup tie on Sunday
"It's another difficult game against Wigan. They didn't play, they are fresh, preparing and will be ready with special motivation for Warren [Joyce] and his players. Now we go home, it'll take three hours to arrive, and have to prepare again. We will change some players and give some opportunities, some fresh legs to the team and, hopefully, we can do it."