Jose Mourinho 'can't wait' for EFL Cup final kick off as Manchester United's squad jump on the train London

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Jose Mourinho says he can't wait for Sunday's EFL Cup final as he relishes the prospect of a new landmark in his career at Wembley.

Mourinho won the competition on three occasions while in charge at Chelsea, and would become the first-ever Manchester United boss to win a trophy in his opening season if he can guide his side to victory over Southampton on Sunday.

Before the Portuguese and his squad set off for London from Stockport Station on Saturday afternoon - club suits in-hand - Mourinho revealed his eagerness to get the game underway.

Jose Mourinho says he can't wait for cup final as he relishes his first Manchester United trophy

Wayne Rooney looked in a cheery mood as the United squad arrived at Stockport Station

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba will be key in United's bid to win Sunday's EFL Cup final

'I just want to play, I can’t wait,' Mourinho told MUTV. 'I’m not nervous. I’ve had many years in football, many finals - I want to play.

'I want to win, I want to play, I want a challenge. I like finals and big games. I want to feel responsibility, big responsibility – that’s all.

'It’s not one more game, it’s always a special match. Everything is normal – we train, we travel, we are ready.'

Mourinho, who is taking a 27-man squad to London, was quick to acknowledge the threat posed by Southampton, but is keen not to let the final distract from the United's battle on all fronts.

Chris Smalling, club suit in-hand, tried to keep himself warm as he set off for Wembley

Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger looked prepared as they headed for the train

'In this competition, Southampton have done amazingly well,' he added. 'We had a difficult run, we had to play three Premier League teams; we had West Ham at home, Hull in two legs, and Manchester City. 

'It was phenomenal [for Southampton], they had two legs against Liverpool, Arsenal away, I think they had Crystal Palace at home [plus Sunderland]. It’s a phenomenal run, winning every game, not conceding. As a cup team, phenomenal.

'I think we have to find strength and motivation, even when the results are not good. We play against Bournemouth [after Wembley] and it doesn’t matter what happens in the final, we have to go to Old Trafford. 

'If you want to finish in the top four or have a chance of that, we must beat Bournemouth. We must finish the final and then play Bournemouth. If you win, happiness always helps you for the next match.'