United Duo To Miss Cup Final

Manchester United could go into Sunday's EFL Cup Final against Southampton without Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Michael Carrick, after the pair picked up injuries in Wednesday's Europa League win against Saint Etienne.

Mkhitaryan scored the only goal of the game in France, but was substituted after 25 minutes after signalling to his hamstring, being replaced by Marcus Rashford. There was more bad news in the second half, when Michael Carrick was withdrawn with a calf injury, being replaced by Bastian Schweinsteiger. 

Speaking after the game, United manager Jose Mourinho expressed his doubts over the duo. In regards to them making the cup final he said "I think no chance, but it's just my experience. A calf, a hamstring, even if it's just a minor injury, some fibre damage, I think they're out."

Despite having capable replacements for the pair, it is certainly news that United fans will not have wanted to hear, and was always part of the risk of playing a strong team in that Europa League tie. The players that replaced Mkhitaryan and Carrick last night will probably be Mourinho's choices to move up to the starting lineup. However, with an attacking position available due to Mkhitaryan's injury, and speculation building that Wayne Rooney will be leaving United next week, does that open the door for the England striker to take his final bow for the Red Devils in a Wembley cup final?