Man United XI vs Sunderland: Starting lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League | OneFootball

Michael Carrick ponders squad rotation with Champions League qualification sealed

Michael Carrick has handed Joshua Zirkzee a rare start as Manchester United visit Sunderland today.

The third-place Red Devils made sure of their return to Europe’s elite club competition with three games to spare thanks to a thrilling 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford last weekend.

It was United’s first Premier League double over Liverpool in a decade and officially ended their two-year exile from the Champions League, with the result meaning that they can now not finish any lower than fifth this term.

It was also another huge boost to interim head coach Carrick’s chances of becoming the club’s next full-time manager, though there has still been no official decision taken in that regard.

Though Carrick will still want to finish the campaign as strongly as possible to further enhance his long-term job prospects, he has also hinted at giving a chance to some of United’s fringe players during the final three matches with their main objective now achieved.

“Some have played a lot more than others and I understand from a professional and a playing point of view it can be difficult, but the togetherness and the support that the players have shown, certainly each other, is great to see.

Doubt: Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko aggravated a pre-existing shin injury against Liverpool

PA

“It's what we need within the group and that's part of the challenge of doing a lot of training and not having as many games as we would have liked.

“It’s the balance that we've made the most of really, so coming into these games it's something we're aware of. I think it's really something we're keen on playing well and still trying to get good results as well, but it's definitely something to be aware of.”

And he has delivered on that promise, with Zirkzee joining fellow fring stars in Noussair Mazraoui and Mason Mount in the starting XI.

Matthijs de Ligt and Benjamin Sesko both miss out.