Carrick And Rooney Available For Sunday’s EFL Cup Final, Confirms Mourinho
Reuters / Carl Recine
Jose Mourinho has confirmed that his valuable Englishmen Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney will be available for selection for the EFL Cup Final on Sunday.
Mourinho previously expressed his concerns as to whether Carrick will be fit for the final, after the veteran midfielder had an injury scare during Manchester United‘s second leg away win over St Etienne in the Europa League.
However, the Portuguese has now confirmed that Carrick will indeed be available for the big game against Southampton, and then provided further information regarding the availability of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Phil Jones.
Mourinho stated during his press conference: “Michael is available. He’s clever and experienced. He left the pitch in the right moment (vs St Etienne). Mkhitaryan is out. Jones, let’s see and decide tomorrow.”
Jose then spoke about club captain Wayne Rooney’s match fitness, and the 31-year-old’s recent press update, wherein the decorated forward put a full stop to the speculation and committed his future to Manchester United.
“I think he did it (addressed the transfer rumors) in exactly the right moment,” said the United boss.
“I think your question is the last about Wayne Rooney and it should be the last until the end of the season. He says no way he moves, he wants to stay and help the team until the end of the season and fight for the trophies. I said already that I would be happy if that was his decision.
“So yes, he’s fine, he’s training with the team. He was not selected for St Etienne because he was not ready to play. He was ready for one more important training session. No doubt he’ll be involved (in the final).”