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Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Michael Carrick set to miss EFL Cup final - Mourinho

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has revealed that match-winner Henrikh Mkhitaryan and fellow midfielder Michael Carrick are likely to miss Sunday's EFL Cup final against Southampton.

Mkhitaryan scored the only goal of United's 1-0 Europa League round-of-32 victory over St Etienne before limping out of the action to be replaced by Marcus Rashford.

Carrick also had to be withdrawn and Mourinho, whose side secured a 4-0 aggregate victory, told BT Sport 3: "You can be injured leaving your house, you can be injured in the garden. You never know when and why.

"It's the result of the accumulation of matches you have always, the risk of it, but every time when somebody is missing it is an opportunity for another one.

"Obviously they are important players for us and not to have them both for the final is complicated, but I think Marouane [Fellaini] and Bastian [Schweinsteiger] -- two players who are normally not playing too much -- is a good answer.

"I don't say that [they will definitely miss the final], I just say what I feel. It's three days [before the final], a hamstring and a calf. Even if it's a minor injury I think three days is no time."

Asked if the pitch was to blame, Mourinho said: "I don't think so. The pitch was ok. It was easy to feel that they [St Etienne] tried to have the pitch in the best possible condition. It was playable, not dangerous.

"The injuries were a consequence of playing and accumulation of matches. If you play one match per week it's very difficult to have an injury. The stadium was beautiful, the pitch was good, the crowd was fantastic, it was a pleasure to play here."

Juan Mata said confidence in the United camp is high ahead of the Wembley date with Southampton and added: "We knew it was going to be a tough atmosphere -- their supporters are great.

"But from the first minute I think we were very professional and scored one goal which made it easier for us.

"We're very happy because it's not just about qualifying but about winning and keeping us in a good stride and going into the final on Sunday with confidence.

"It was the best way to face a final -- qualifying, winning and going into the final with confidence."

Defender Chris Smalling felt the atmosphere in the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard worked in the visitors' favour.

"I think their crowd helped us to be fair, they made sure that we didn't go through the motions and it was a proper game and I think we did a good job from start to finish," he said.

"If we can keep this run going, who knows what can happen?"

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