Manchester United will look to continue their recent run of good form as they host Sunderland at Old Trafford tomorrow night.
A terrible start to the season sees Dick Advocaat’s men rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table with just two points from six fixtures. United, on the other hand, have been impressive at home throughout Louis van Gaal’s reign and have picked up seven out of a possible nine points in Manchester so far this season.
Team News
United’s major selection headache will come at left-back after Luke Shaw’s season ending broken leg has left the position wide open. But with potential replacements Marcos Rojo (hamstring) and Paddy McNair (knee) also battling ailments, van Gaal will be forced into a tactical reshuffle at the back.
The Dutchman may be unwilling to divide the central-defensive partnership of Chris Smalling and Daley Blind which has conceded just five goals in six league games this season. But Blind’s experience at left-back and Phil Jones’ availability following a stint on the sidelines with a calf complaint could be tempting.
A more aggressive option may be to use converted winger Antonio Valencia at right-back and push Italian Matteo Darmian to the left-hand-side, or to use fellow former winger Ashley Young in the position in which he first gained van Gaal’s trust last season.
For the visitors, Younes Kaboul will be back in contention after serving a one-match ban for his red card at Bournemouth. Former United defender O’Shea may be recalled if Advocaat opts to go with experience heading into one of football’s most testing environments. Pacy American right-back DeAndre Yedlin, on loan from Tottenham, also appears in line for a first Premier League start for his new club, probably at the expense of the struggling Patrick van Aanholt.
With the team struggling for form and confidence, the manager could elect to drastically change the side that lost to Bournemouth in the League. Jack Rodwell started in the midweek League Cup thrashing at the hands of Manchester City, certainly possessing talent, but he may be replaced with veteran midfielder Lee Cattermole in this fixture. Whether attacking duo Fabio Borini and Jermaine Defoe can be accommodated in the same line-up at Old Trafford is also open to debate, given that United look set to dominate possession once again.
Key Battle – Anthony Martial vs John O’Shea
One of the key talking points in this game will be whether Martial can be the first man to score in his first three Premier League appearances. His rise to prominence since moving from Monaco is almost hard to fathom. The responsibility may be up to former United man John O’Shea to shut down the newly arrived red hot striker.
Head-to-head
Manchester United and Sunderland have played 141 times previously, the Red Devils claiming 62 wins and Sunderland winning 41, with 38 draws. However, in recent times things have been far more lopsided with the Black Cats claiming only one win in the past 26 league meetings.
Previous Meeting – Manchester United 2 Sunderland 0
A Wayne Rooney double and a Wes Brown red card saw United walk out comfortable 2-0 winners. After his slow start to the season, the English striker will be hoping for a repeat performance this time around.
Prediction
This fixture should prove fairly straightforward for United if they are serious about challenging for domestic honours. Sunderland will look to sit back and leak possession, while trying to frustrate van Gaal’s men on the counter. But after a slow start, the goals have started to flow for the Red Devils, with three in their last three matches in England. Sunderland’s winless start to the season looks set to continue.
Manchester United 3 Sunderland 0
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