Devils against Saints

IT'S the end of February, and that usually means the first piece of silverware of the English football season - the League Cup - is up for grabs.

The competition isn't the most prestigious, that much is certain. In the past, some critics even labelled it the "Mickey Mouse cup" as they saw it as nothing more than an unwelcome distraction from the more glamorous English Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies.

But say what you will, it would be foolish for either Manchester United or Southampton - the two clubs taking part in this Sunday's League Cup final (kick-off on Monday 12.30am, Singapore time) - to take this match lightly.