Wembley experience will give us advantage at EFL Cup final: Smalling

Manchester United's experience of playing at Wembley stadium should hold the team in good stead ahead of Sunday's EFL Cup final against Southampton, defender Chris Smalling said.

"I think we can go there with a lot of confidence," Smalling was quoted as saying by ESPNFC on Thurday.

"I think quite a few of us have played a number of games there and maybe some of their players haven't, so hopefully we can take that edge on Sunday and it can work in our favour.

"To be able to go back to Wembley so soon, and hopefully pick up our first silverware of the season, sets us up for the last big two or three months of the season."

Southampton, in contrast, will be playing at Wembley for the first time since 1979 League Cup final against Nottingham Forest, with their 2003 FA Cup final appearance coming at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Unlike his manager Jose Mourinho, who complained of hectic schedule, Smalling said United's players were not worried by the prospect. United are still in the FA Cup and the Europa League besides fighting for top-four in the English Premier League.

"People talk about the number of games, but I think when you're winning games it doesn't matter how many you've got. We'll be relishing Sunday," he said.

--IANS

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