Sunderland vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Manchester United travel to the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon with Champions League qualification already secured.

Michael Carrick’s side confirmed elite European football by defeating rivals Liverpool last weekend. The Red Devils now aim to consolidate third place and maintain their excellent momentum.

Meanwhile, Sunderland have enjoyed a stable campaign upon their top-flight return under Régis Le Bris. That said, a recent three-game winless run has hampered their outside hopes of a European spot. The Black Cats currently sit twelfth but remain within touching distance of the top eight.

Man Utd have won thirty-two points in fourteen games since Carrick took charge in January. No Premier League side has accumulated more points during that timeframe. United have scored in twenty-three consecutive league matches and enter this fixture as heavy favourites.

However, Sunderland remain a dangerous prospect on home soil when they score first. The hosts are one of only three sides still unbeaten this season after opening the scoring. This fixture represents the first trip to the Stadium of Light for United in nine years.

Sunderland vs Manchester United – Match preview and team news

Team news

Sunderland

Dan Ballard begins a three-match suspension after an appeal against his red card was rejected. Romaine Mundle remains sidelined with a thigh injury. However, Nilson Angulo and Bertrand Traoré have returned to full training this week. Either Lutsharel Geertruida or Luke O’Nien will likely partner Omar Alderete in central defence. Captain Granit Xhaka is fit to lead the side in midfield.

Manchester United

Michael Carrick faces a minor concern regarding Benjamin Šeško following a shin injury against Liverpool. Lisandro Martínez is available again after serving a three-match ban. However, Matthijs de Ligt remains out with a back problem. Patrick Dorgu is fit but Luke Shaw should continue at left-back. Bruno Fernandes needs one more assist to equal the all-time single-season record of twenty.

Form

Sunderland

Régis Le Bris has overseen a steady season since the club’s promotion. Sunderland have recorded a near fifty per cent win ratio at home this year. However, they have failed to win any of their last three league matches. The Black Cats haven’t beaten a top-four side in twenty-eight attempts since 2014. They recently suffered a heavy 5–0 home defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest.

Manchester United

The Red Devils have won three consecutive league games against Brentford, Liverpool, and Chelsea. They have lost just one of their fifteen Premier League visits to the Stadium of Light. Carrick has already surpassed the points total achieved by Ruben Amorim earlier this season. Benjamin Šeško has been prolific under the new manager, scoring every eighty-five minutes. United have scored in every game since a home loss in November.

Predicted lineups

Sunderland Predicted XI: Roefs; Geertruida, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo; Sadiki, Xhaka; Hume, Le Fée, Talbi; Brobbey.

Manchester United Predicted XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martínez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Šeško.

How to watch Sunderland vs Manchester United?

UK viewers cannot watch this match live on television due to the 3:00 PM blackout.

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