Match Preview: Sunderland vs United

Manchester United’s 36th outing of the 38-game Premier League season takes place at Sunderland this weekend. A rare traditional Saturday kick-off, as was the reverse fixture at Old Trafford way back in early October, this is our first trip to the Stadium of Light since 2017. With UEFA Champions League qualification already secured, nailing down third spot in the table must be the next objective for Michael Carrick’s men.

Sunderland have exceeded all expectations under Regis Le Bris, since returning to the top-flight and making wholesale changes to their playing personnel. Doing the double over fierce rivals Newcastle United has made the season even sweeter for the north-east side, who were unbeaten at home until Liverpool’s win at the Stadium of Light in February. Since then though, they have tasted defeat in five matches overall, including a shock Emirates FA Cup exit to Port Vale.

Last time out at home, they were thrashed 5-0 by Nottingham Forest, so the Black Cats will be looking to get back to more like their old selves when welcoming the Reds to town. United won the corresponding fixture 2-0, thanks to goals from Mason Mount and Sesko, as Senne Lammens kept a clean sheet on his debut. Our last visit to the Stadium of Light yielded a 3-0 triumph, nine years ago.

The hosts have won only three of their 33 Premier League meetings with the Reds, drawing six and losing 24. They have suffered more defeats to United than any other club in the competition. United’s league record at the Stadium of Light is an outstanding one, losing only once in 15 trips, a 2-1 reverse in February 2016.