MUN vs SOU
Match Centre

Heads held high

Southampton depart Wembley Stadium defeated, but with plenty of pride from their performance. Thanks for following today's blog. Back to Premier League action next week at Watford. See you there!

Gallery of action

Take a look through the best of the images from Southampton's narrow defeat to Manchester United in the EFL Cup final.

Report from Wembley

It wasn't to be on this occasion. Read our take on today's game here

Close but no cigar for Saints

The Southampton squad climb the steps to receive runners-up medals at Wembley.

Runners-up stay 'til the end

Frustration in the end for Saints, who applaud the supporters back after five-goal game ends in defeat. Stay with us here on southamptonfc.com for full report and reaction

Full Time analysis

Southampton's players fall to the floor as the final whistle confirms a defeat over the 90 minutes, but the Saints are applauded off the field for a spirited performance at Wembley.

FULL TIME

Manchester United 3-2 Southampton

Bertrand goes for goal

The full back strikes a fierce shot on the edge of the area which is deflected into the air and then cleared.

Four minutes to be added on

Stoppage time has been allocated by the match officials.

Southampton substitution: Jay Rodriguez replaces Steven Davis

Attendance announced

There are 85,264 supporters inside Wembley Stadium today. Great backing from Saints as part of that.

Stephens with a header

the defender meets the corner and Ibrahimović is back to make the vital interception.

So close once more!!

Bertrnad gets on the end of Boufal's pass to cross low, but Long can't quite get on the end of it as United concede a corner.

Long makes a nuisance of himself

The striker is already making an impact as he looks to get on the end of a backpass to De Gea, but the United goalkeeper stands firm.

Southampton substitution: Shane Long replaces Manolo Gabbiadini

The two-goal hero is replaced by Long inside the last ten minutes of play.

Redmond goes for goal

The frontman wins possession back on the left side and looks to get a shot on target, but it's deflected wide.

Boufal looks to make an impact

The Moroccan flies forward with the ball but runs into trouble in the final third.

Gabbiadini leads the charge

The striker forces a mistake from Smalling, but can't quite find a teammate as he looks to get in on goal.

Southampton substitution: Sofiane Boufal replaces Dušan Tadić

First change of the game for Saints

Lingard fires over 

Terrific chance for United there, but the second goal scorer blazes over at the far post.

Cédric alert to the danger

The full back puts a vital block on Pogba to deny the midfielder a clear sight of goal, and concedes a corner.

Tadić teaser

Tadić receives Ward-Prowse's pass on the right and fizzes in a low cross aimed at Remdond, but Herrera clears inside the area.

Great work from Yoshida

The defender runs back and slides in to make an impeccable challenge on Lingard to concede a corner.

Gabbiadini celebrates

The moment Manolo celebrated his leveller at Wembley.

Hard fought battle

Saints continuing to go toe-to-toe with United across the pitch. Saints still pushing for a third goal though.

Off the post!

Romeu connects to the corner with a header, and his effort comes back off the right post.

Close again from Saints

Cédric's low cross is turned behind by Valencia with Bertrand racing in at the far post to try and score.

Forster denies Ibrahimović

The striker picked up a loose pass inside the Saints area, but Forster stands his ground to put a block on the Swede.

Spirited play from Saints

Romeu wins the ball back from Ibrahimović and then Cédric slides clear as Saints successfully break up United's hold on the ball

Yellow Card for Nathan Redmond (Southampton)

Redmond goes into the book for a foul on Carrick.

Oooohhh Gabbiadini!!

The Italian's name is sung wildly by the Saints supporters as his fine goal scoring efforts are recognised. Terrific atmosphere inside Wembley now.

All Southampton now

Cédric delivers another teasing cross into the area, which is cleared away under pressure from Gabbiadini

GOALSCORER 20 Manolo Gabbiadini

What a finish!

That man again! Gabbiadini controls the ball and slams home in one fell swoop from a corner to level the scores.

Redmond tests De Gea!

Brilliant effort on the volley from the frontman, which De Gea has to tip over the bar.

Early corner for Saints

Ward-Prowse's cross is deflected behind after Redmond's running created the space.

Back under way

United get the game restarted

Teams return to the pitch

Saints receive a huge roar from the Southampton supporters as the game prepares to restart.

Gabbiadini's strike

The moment Manolo put Saints back to within one goal of Manchester United.

Half Time analysis

Two good goals from United, but Gabbiadini's strike gives Southampton something to build on in the second 45. No less than Saints deserve, with the Italian's early effort also ruled out for offside

First half action

A selection of images from the opening 45 minutes here at Wembley

HALF TIME

Manchester United 2-1 Southampton

GOALSCORER 20 Manolo Gabbiadini

Back in it!

Ward-Prowse's low cross from the right is turned in at the near post by Gabbiadini, whose effort counts this time!

Two minutes of stoppage time

Additional minutes allocated by the match officials

Tadić close once more

The Serbian gets away down the right side and fires a low cross into the side-netting as United are given a let-off.

Good approach again from Saints

Gabbiadini and Cédric combine neatly down the right but the move comes to nothing.

Yellow Card for Jack Stephens (Southampton)

The defender goes on a run upfield and fouls Martial

So close for Saints!

Ward-Prowse's corner is cleared, but lands at the feet of Jack Stephens on the byline who tries to cut it back for Yoshida to shoot, but the ball is hacked away by the United defence. 

Tester from Tadić

Redmond brings the ball forward once more on lays it into the path of Dušan Tadić, whose low shot is spilled but then gathered by De Gea.

Ward-Prowse works De Gea

Steven Davis keeps the move alive, and delivers a ball into the area which is cleared only as far as Ward-Prowse, whose low shot is kept out by De Gea low to his right.

Yoshida clears the danger

The Japanese defender times his slide to perfection in clearing Saints' lines with Ibrahimović bearing down on him.

Saints search for a response

Cédric gets forward again to deliver a cross which United clear for a corner. Saints determined not to let United settle.

Yellow Card for Oriol Romeu (Southampton)

The Saints man goes into the book for a lunge on Ander Herrera just outside of the area.

Redmond shoots wide

The frontman cuts inside from the left and drills a low shot wide of the left post.

More pressure from Saints

Dušan Tadić whips the ball across the face of goal moments after Davis led the charge over halfway from Saints, who are looking a threat every time they get forward.

Gabbiadini denied by the flag

The Italian taps the ball home inside the six yard box but the offside flag goes up against him as he got on the end of Cédric's low cross.

Redmond goes for goal

Fine individual run and shot from the frontman, whose low effort takes a deflection on its way out for a corner.

Yoshida wins the free-kick

With Zlatan Ibrahimović chasing him down, Yoshida is fouled by the United striker as he attempts to make a clearance.

Redmond lively early on

The winger sends in a teasing low cross from the left which narrowly avoids everyone

Saints get us under way

Dušan Tadić takes kick-off for Saints who are attacking the end housed by Manchester United fans

Saints get into the huddle

The team group together in front of the Southampton supporters for their final words of encouragement to each other ahead of kick-off.

Teams are out

Southampton and Manchester United take to the Wembley pitch to a wall of noise from around the ground.

Warm-ups complete

The players are put through their paces one final time ahead of kick-off.

Fans' #MarchToWembley

We leave the last word to the supporters, who describe what this afternoon's cup final means to them.

#MarchToWembley

Hear from Ron Arthur, the man who drove the team bus in 1979 and now works at the club within the kit and equipment department, about his journey with the club.

#MarchToWembley

Earlier, we brought you Kelvin Davis's story, now hear from Sports Therapist Chris Lovegrove, who was also with Saints at the 2003 FA Cup final

EFL Cup run in stats

Check out the statistics behind Southampton's successful run to Wembley.

Suited and booted

The Southampton squad make their way to the Wembley pitch in their cup final suits

Romeu ready for Wembley

Oriol Romeu spoke with broadcasters on arrival at Wembley about what he expects from today's final.

Long is put through by Sims... and the rest is history

Shane Long recalls the moment he sealed Southampton's passage to the EFL Cup final.

Redmond took Saints one step closer to Wembley

Nathan Redmond scored the decisive goal at St Mary's in a 1-0 win over Liverpool to give Saints a lead heading to Anfield.

Class from Jordy saw off Arsenal

Jordy Clasie struck the first of two goals on the night at Emirates Stadium as Saints beat the Gunners. Listen to his version of events above.

Boufal brilliance saw Saints take the next step

Sofiane Boufal's first goal for Southampton helped the team see off Sunderland in Round 4 - something he fondly remembers

The march to Wembley began here

Jake Hesketh scored as Saints saw off Crystal Palace. Hear him talk about the strike that got Southampton up and running in this competition

Arrivals

Watch as the Southampton squad took to the dressing room at Wembley a short time ago.

This your captain speaking

Steven Davis spoke with us earlier in the week about this afternoon's match.

Inside the changing room

Check out how Southampton have made themselves at home in the Wembley changing room

Southampton team news announced

Hammond reflects on previous Wembley trip

Former Southampton skipper Dean Hammond looks back on Saints' Johnstone's Paint Trophy win in 2010 and hopes his old club can triumph again this afternoon.

Cédric looks ahead to Wembley

We caught up with Southampton defender Cédric in the week about his excitement on playing in the EFL Cup final.

Puel previews Wembley showdown

Hear from Southampton boss Claude Puel ahead of today's EFL Cup final about his thoughts on the team's run in the competition.

One hour until team news

The all important team news is released in around an hour's time here at Wembley, stay with us as the build up continues .

Austin arrives at Wembley

Southampton striker Charlie Austin chats with our matchday presenter Kenzie Benali pitchside ahead of the game at Wembley.

The scene is set

And this is what awaits everyone on arrival at Wembley!

Fans make their way up to Wembley

Southampton fans board the coaches at St Mary's on the way up to Wembley earlier today.

Forster looks to Wembley

Fraser Forster explains how much he's looking forward to playing at Wembley with Southampton this afternoon.

Training time

The hard work continued at Staplewood Campus this week in preparation for the game. Watch the best of training in the video above.

Dressing to impress

Saints will certainly look the part when they arrive at Wembley thanks to roomten who have supplied the squad with suits for the day. Check out how the fittings went in our video above.

The #MarchToWembley

Kelvin Davis played the last time Southampton visited Wembley in 2010. Hear from him now about how the club has prepared for today's trip as part of our #MarchToWembley series.

1976 and all that

Southampton's most famous win over Manchester United to-date  however, remains this one from 1976 in the FA Cup final. Can history repeat itself 41 years on?

Tadić earns famous win at Old Trafford

Dušan Tadić struck the only goal of the game when Saints beat United at Old Trafford for the first time in 27 years during 2015. We'd take a repeat today!

Le Tiss gets up and running

Watch Matt Le Tissier score his first two goals for Southampton in their 1986 League Cup victory over Manchester United.

Grey shirts cause confusion

Manchester United lose at The Dell and blame their shirts on a 3-1 defeat as they switch to a blue and white strip in the second half.

Classic contest

It's classics time! Watch back when Saints beat Manchester United 6-3 at The Dell.

McMenemy backs repeat of 1976

Southampton's FA Cup winning boss of '76 would love nothing more than to see Saints beat Manchester United in a Wembley final again, just like his side did 41 years ago.

Le Tissier discusses the final

Matt Le Tissier says the Saints players have an opportunity to make themselves heroes this afternoon.

Craig David sends message of support

Continuing the musical theme, hear from Southampton artist Craig David ahead of today's game.

Saints Brass set the tone

Southampton supporters boarded the coaches from St Mary's earlier accompanied by music from the Saints Brass.

Players' playlist

Get in the mood for today's game by checking out the playlist put together by the Southampton players here

Global kick-off times

Wherever you are in the world following this game, these are the times to be ready for!

#MarchToWembley

Look back on Southampton's run to the EFL Cup final

It's matchday!

And a very special one it is too! Southampton #MarchToWembley for the EFL Cup final against Manchester United to contest for the first silverware of the season.