Manchester United vs Sunderland – English Premier League – Preview

Posted on December 25, 2016 by Sreya

Manchester United vs Sunderland – Manchester United hosts Sunderland at the Old Trafford on the Boxing Day in an English Premier League fixture which could help Jose Mourinho’s side close the gap on Arsenal in fourth position.

Manchester United, sixth in league standings with thirty points, trail the fourth-placed Arsenal by four points and fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur by three points. Three wins on the trot in their last three matches have helped Manchester United get their domestic season back on track after a disappointing November.

Sunderland, with fourteen points after seventeen games, are eighteenth in league standings and firmly entrenched in the relegation zone. While three wins in their last six matches, including a 1-0 victory over Watford, have stabilized the ship, Sunderland need to have an excellent second half of the season to stay in the top division.

Team News

Luke Shaw is Manchester United’s main injury concern with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly set to face late fitness tests. Sunderland have a lengthy list of absentees with Paddy McNair, Lee Cattermole, Lynden Gooch, Jack Rodwell, Duncan Watmore and Jan Kirchhoff sidelined through injuries. Adnan Janujaz is ineligible against his parent club.

Manchester United Possible Starting Lineup: David de Gea, Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian, Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick, Juan Mata, Paul Pogba, Wayne Rooney, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Sunderland Possible Starting Lineup: Jordan Pickford, Donald Love, Lamine Kone, Papy Djilobodji, Patrick van Aanholt, Steven Pienaar, Didier Ndong, Jason Denayer, Fabio Borini, Jermain Defoe, Victor Anchiebe.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Manchester United vs Sunderland H2H Stats, the last five Premier League encounters between these two clubs have resulted in two wins for either side and a draw.

However, Sunderland have failed to score in 5 of their last 6 away matches in the Premier League this season. With Manchester United having won 6 of their last 7 home matches against Sunderland in all competitions, a 2-0 win for Jose Mourinho’s side is the most likely result.