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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
MANCHESTER UNITED  De Gea Jones, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra Nani, Rooney, Fletcher, Park Welbeck, Hernandez | SUNDERLAND  Westwood Bardsley, Brown, Turner, Richardson Larsson,Vaughan,Cattermole,Colback,Sessegnon Bendtner |
Michael Carrick could be involved following his recent injury, while Darren Fletcher is a doubt after he missed the Red Devils' win over the Romanian champions. So a third consecutive game in midfield for Wayne Rooney would not be surprising. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Paul Pogba could make the bench.
Sunderland travel to Old Trafford with considerably less to think about on the injury front, although a fractured nose and eye-socket for goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is a massive blow with Black Cats’ third choice stopper Keiran Westwood set to step up with Craig Gordon still out.
Former United cult-hero John O’Shea will have to wait for his Old Trafford Premier League return for another season after being ruled out due to a hamstring injury, leaving Steve Bruce with just one other injury related concern. Fraizer Campbell looks set to return in December, about six months ahead of schedule.
Aside from injuries, Sunderland’s only other player who will miss the trip to Manchester is Titus Bramble, who has been suspended by the club while his off-field behaviour is investigated.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Before their 6-1 defeat to Manchester City two weeks ago, Manchester United had won their last 20 home matches in the Premier League.
- The Red Devils have not lost any of their last 18 league games against Sunderland.
- The match will be played on the eve of Sir Alex Ferguson’s 25th anniversary at Old Trafford.
- Should they win, United will become the first to reach 900 home points in the Premier League. They are currently on 898.
Sunderland have won six of their last 25 away matches in the league.
- Their 2-0 win at Bolton two weeks ago was their first win away from the Stadium of Light since May.
- Kenwyne Jones was the last Sunderland player to score against United, during a 2-2 draw back in October 2009.
- The Black Cats’ last win over Sir Alex Ferguson’s men was back in 1997, when they registered a 2-1 victory. They also managed to beat Arsenal and Chelsea that season.
- Sunderland have not won at Old Trafford since May 1968 when they beat United 2-1.
- Wes Brown (pictured right) is set to make his first ever appearance against United on Saturday following his departure from the Old Trafford club in the summer.
Prediction
The hosts cannot be overlooked for this one. Sir Alex’s men will be determined to eradicate the defeat to Manchester City two weeks ago in their last home match in the Premier League.
Before the loss to City, United had only dropped two points in the previous year, so there is no reason why their superiority should not show once again with Sunderland having a dreadful record at Old Trafford.
Before the loss to City, United had only dropped two points in the previous year, so there is no reason why their superiority should not show once again with Sunderland having a dreadful record at Old Trafford.
Editor's Prediction
Man Utd. 3-1 Sunderland 
