Football: Rooney may miss League Cup final

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney may miss the League Cup Final against Southampton because of a muscle injury. PHOTO: AFP

ENGLAND (REUTERS) - Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney could miss Sunday's League Cup final against Southampton at Wembley after manager Jose Mourinho revealed that the striker was still struggling with a muscle injury.

Rooney, United's all-time top scorer, has not played since the start of February and missed Sunday's FA Cup fifth round win over Blackburn Rovers.

"I don't know," Mourinho told reporters when asked if Rooney would be fit to face Southampton in the final.

Mourinho also ruled Rooney and defender Phil Jones out of United's Europa League last-32 match at St Etienne on Wednesday.

United have a 3-0 lead from the first leg of the tie.

"Rooney is injured. Jones is injured. I don't think they will recover," the manager added.

"Rooney and Jones haven't trained with the team yet so I don't think they will be there for Wednesday."

United, who have won the League Cup four times before, beat Hull City 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals to progress to the final.

Southampton beat Liverpool 1-0 both home and away in the semis to book their first Wembley final since losing to Nottingham Forest in the 1979 League Cup final.

The Saints last reached a major Cup final in 2003, when they lost to Arsenal 1-0 in the FA Cup.

The final was then played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.