Jose Mourinho has warned that Manchester United have faced a more difficult preparation for the EFL Cup final ahead of their clash against Southampton at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
The Red Devils were 3-0 winners against Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 clash on Thursday night thanks to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s hat-trick.
Mourinho’s men were back in action on Sunday afternoon when the 20-time English champions eased to a 2-1 win against Blackburn Rovers in the fifth round at Ewood Park.
Manchester United will make the return trip to France for the second leg of their European tie on Wednesday night before preparing for the EFL Cup final at Wembley next weekend.
Their League Cup opponents Southampton, on the other hand, haven’t played a game since a 4-0 win at Sunderland at the Stadium of Light nine days ago.
Speaking to BBC Sport about Manchester United’s upcoming EFL Cup final, Mourinho admitted that Southampton have an advantage in terms of preparation.
“Southampton is sleeping, is eating and resting and working for the League Cup final and we have had to play three tough games. It is so much more difficult for us, but for good reasons,” Mourinho said.
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