Saints No Pushovers

Manchester United will have to be at their very best to beat Southampton in Sunday's EFL Cup final, according to Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.

The two clubs go head to head at Wembley Stadium with the first trophy of the season up for grabs at the home of football.

However, United should not underestimate the challenge facing them this weekend against a team who knocked out Liverpool over two legs in the semi-final, says the club's former captain.

"I think they will do enough to win the game, but I do not think it will be easy at all," he told Sky Sports. "I think Southampton will be well prepared and some of their lads will be playing in the biggest game of their lives.

"And they will play it like that, so United will have to be at their very best."

With United currently sitting in an unfamiliar position in the Premier League, outside the top four and 12 points behind leaders Chelsea, Sunday represents an ideal opportunity for manager Jose Mourinho to land some silverware in his debut season at Old Trafford.

"He [Mourinho] is a trophy hunter and United are not going to win the league this season, so it looks like the cups are going to be the only way they can win a trophy now," said Neville.

"And I think it is important for the confidence of the players and where they want to get to eventually, which is Champions League and Premier League titles, that this will be an important stepping stone.

"But yes they have to win, that should be the mentality going into the game."

Neville also believes that a United victory this weekend could act as a springboard to further success, just as it did for Mourinho in his first spell in charge of Chelsea.

Then, back in the 2004-05 season, the Blues' League Cup final triumph over Liverpool proved to be the catalyst for the club's first top-flight title in 50 years.

"It definitely has done previously with United and with Chelsea, it has done it with other clubs where they have gained confidence from it," he said.

"And one thing is for certain, it won't do any harm. It could damage the players if they do not win on Sunday, they are in the midst of a great run, but I do think they will have enough to see it through."

Credit: Skysports.com