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.
Lisandro Martinez returns after serving a three-match suspension for the red card he received during the defeat to Leeds United. There is, however, a tough call for Carrick to make, considering Ayden Heaven’s outstanding form in the wins over Chelsea, Brentford and Liverpool.
Benjamin Sesko has been carrying a shin issue, exacerbated when being pushed into the advertising hoardings by Ibrahima Konate at the weekend, while Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu came off the bench for his first minutes since being injured at Arsenal in January.
Matthijs de Ligt has remained on the sidelines but was working on the grass last week.
Sunderland will be without Dan Ballard after the centre-back was sent off in the 1-1 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, their injury situation has been clearing somewhat, with Bertrand Traore and Nilson Angulo potentially available.
Romaine Mundle may still be absent but the Black Cats are looking in good shape, regarding their squad.
