SAINTS legend Francis Benali wants "beyond anything" for Claude Puel's men not to feel the same crushing disappointment in cup finals he felt as a player.

During his Saints career Benali played and lost the Zenith Data Systems Cup and was part of Gordon Strachan's squad that was defeated in the 2003 FA Cup final.

Now the 48-year-old, who made 369 appearances for Saints, is hoping that the League Cup final against Manchester United doesn't end in the same fashion.

"I want them to win beyond anything," he said.

"I've been on the other side of cup finals and know how that feels.

"I want it so much for the club and supporters.

"It would be mind blowing if they could replicate what happened in the 1976 FA Cup (when Saints famously won 1-0 against Manchester United).

"A lot of me will want to be out the pitch at Wembley, but my whole heart is behind Saints to do it."

In 1992 Benali played the full game as Saints, under the management of Ian Branfoot, lost the ZDS Cup final 3-2 to Nottingham Forest at Wembley in extra time.

He was then part of a Saints team - although he didn't make the squad in the final - that lost to Arsenal in the FA Cup final 1-0 in 2003.

"There's a massive disappointment when you lose a final," he said.

"You've done so much hard work to get to that occasions and it really is a case being so close but yet so far.

"You go through a really tough time and that disappointment is felt throughout the squad."