Sunderland vs. Manchester United: Match Preview

VENUE: Stadium of Light

KO TIME: 12:45 GMT

REFEREE: Kevin Friend

                Manchester United visit Sunderland on Saturday, their only away fixture in the entire of March, with a lead of 15 points. United could extend their lead if they win at the Stadium of Light. They will be 18 points above Manchester City who host Newcastle United later on Saturday. Martin O’Neill’s side are 7 games without a win, while United have won their last six games in the league.

                The Red Devils lost the title on Goal Difference last year despite a win at Sunderland in their Final Fixture. Every Manchester United player as well as fan has been waiting for this fixture, as the last visit to the Stadium of Light saw the home fans celebrating City’s victory. Sunderland have managed to beat United just once in the Premier League. United are 17 games unbeaten and are relentlessly marching towards the 20^th title.

TEAM NEWS:

Sunderland:The Black Cats will be without their top goal scorer Steven Fletcher and captain Lee Cattermole as they are ruled out for the rest of the season with ankle and knee injuries respectively.

Man United:Phil Jones and Paul Scholes could make a return to the squad. Luis Nani is unavailable for the Red Devils.

TEAM FORM:

Sunderland:L-L-L-D-L-D

Man United:W-W-W-L-D-W

PROBABLE LINEUPS:

Sunderland:Mignolet; O’Shea, Cuellar, Bramble, Rose; Larsson, Gardner, Vaughan, Johnson, Sessegnon; Graham

Man United:De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Cleverley, Carrick, Kagawa; Rooney, Van Persie, Welbeck

PREVIOUS MEETING:

The two sides previously met at Old Trafford in December, where United beat Sunderland3-1. Goals from Robin van Persie, Tom Cleverley and Wayne Rooney helped the Red Devils restore their 6 points lead then, while Fraizer Campbell scored a late consolation for the Black cats.

PREDICTION:

Sunderland1–3Man United

MAN TO WATCH:

Sunderland:Danny Graham

Danny Graham will be the man to lead Sunderland after Steven Fletcher’s injury makes him unavailable for the rest of the season.

Man United:Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney scored against Sunderland in the home leg, and as mentioned by him in his book, he has been looking for this fixture since the last year when United lost the title on the final day.