Rojo Seeking Silverware Boost

Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo believes victory in the EFL Cup final will provide the club with even more confidence to finish the season strongly, but the Argentina international insists fellow finalists Southampton must not be underestimated.

The Reds are in a rich vein of form heading into Sunday’s encounter, with just one defeat in all competitions in 2017 and places in the Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals and the Europa League Round of 16 secured, and spirits are understandably soaring.

Speaking exclusively to ManUtd.com about the good feeling in the dressing room, Rojo said: "Confidence is really high at the moment. Of course it’s important for the club to win a trophy, but almost as important is the boost in confidence it will give us for the rest of the season. 

"Winning this cup would be a huge fillip for us from now for the rest of the campaign. We’re close to the places at the top of the league and we have to keep up this level of performance."

The 26-year-old added: "It’s the first step in gaining more confidence and continuing our growth as a team. The EFL Cup is there to be won, and that's what we have to do, and then keep progressing in the other competitions."

While United overcame a valiant Hull City side in the semi-finals, Southampton saw off Liverpool - the fourth Premier League side the Saints have faced in this season’s tournament.

Even more remarkable is that Claude Puel’s team have yet to concede a goal during their run to Sunday’s final, and Rojo insisted he and his team-mates must be fully focused as the Reds bid to break that run and lift a fifth League Cup.

"It’s going to be tough for us. Any opponent you play in a cup final is going to make life hard for you," said the defender, who has featured in all but one of United’s games en route to the final.

"Southampton are worthy finalists who deserve to play in this game. They will be a very difficult opponent and we should, in no way, underestimate them at all.

"They will feel like we are the favourites, and they have nothing to lose. As a result, they’ll be going into the game a lot more relaxed than us and without quite so much pressure on them. But we need to go out onto the field in a really focused way, full of intent, like in any game, and try to do the best we can to win the cup."