Jose Mourinho confessed his sympathy for Saints and insisted that Claude Puel’s team deserved at least extra-time in the EFL Cup final.

The Manchester United manager was understandably happy to get his hands on the first trophy of his time in charge at Old Trafford following the 3-2 victory at Wembley.

But he struck a humble tone in front of the media after the match, starting his press conference by paying tribute to Claude Puel, the Saints team and the club’s fans.

He said: “First of all, the man that left the table (Puel) has a reason to be really sad and disappointed.

“His team did fantastic work, deserved extra time, and to lose in the 87th minute gives very little time to try to react. It's a bit unfair for them. They gave us a beautiful final, a beautiful match.

“I'm obviously very happy with the victory, very happy with the fact that I did it four times, the same as the biggest one, the same as Mr Clough, and with a chance to win for a fifth time.

“The game was broken at 2-2. We were lucky to be 2-0. Then 2-1, changed completely the direction of the game. Obviously the 2-2: a phenomenal goal. Technically it's such a difficult shot, and (Manolo) Gabbiadini's execution is phenomenal.

“Then the game is broken, and when the game is broken, but we coped because we were humble.”

It was Mourinho’s main man, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who, perhaps somewhat predictably, proved to be the match winner.

His double, including the decisive goal three minutes from time, made it an incredible ten goals in 14 games against teams managed by Puel, including four against Saints this season alone.

Mourinho admitted he was more concerned about facing Saints in a major final than he would have been had Liverpool or Chelsea made it through to Wembley.

“It's one of these finals that I don't like,” he insisted.

“I like the finals like before, Chelsea-Manchester United, Chelsea-Arsenal, Chelsea-Liverpool, Chelsea-Tottenham.

“These are the finals I like, because you are not the favourite, you are playing against another big team, you don't have more responsibility on your shoulder.

“You can play the game, and think the game, as power against power.

“This game is tricky, it's a tricky final.

“They are Southampton, a club that is growing up, but they are not Manchester United.

“Their players are good players, their coach is a good coach, their fans were exactly the same number as our fans, so it's a tricky final.

“I was a favourite for this one more than the other ones. This one was tricky.”