Softfootball understands that Manchester United will be welcoming Sunderland to Old Trafford this weekend. But in what universe are Manchester United fans afraid to welcome Sunderland to Old Trafford? This is Ruben Amorim’s universe, in which a once-mighty United have become an aside in the EPL title discussion.
The aura of Old Trafford once struck fear into visiting teams, but in the nascent era of manager Ruben Amorim, that intimidation has faded. This Saturday, it is a newly promoted Sunderland that arrives with confidence, while Manchester United and their supporters grapple with a crisis of identity under Ruben Amorim, who isn’t concerned about being sacked by the club. The question is no longer about title aspirations, but whether this beleaguered squad can muster the bite to overcome a defensibly brilliant opponent.
Sunderland, newly promoted to the Premier League and with an EPL rookie manager in Regis Le Bris, has accumulated 11 points from their first six matches. In comparison, United have won just 12 points since the start of April. After suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Burnley at Turf Moor last August, the Black Cats have been unbeaten in their last six games in the league.
The statistics paint a paradoxical picture. Despite sitting 14th with just seven points, United dominate the underlying metrics: they have attempted more shots and created significantly more chances (66 to Sunderland’s 35). Yet, both teams have scored an identical seven goals, highlighting United’s profound inefficiency in front of goal. The true chasm, however, lies in defence. Under rookie manager Regis Le Bris, Sunderland have conceded a mere four goals, a testament to their organised 5-3-2 low block. In contrast, United’s 11 goals conceded reveal a fragile and disorganised backline.
Where there is daylight is in the defensive phase, where the Black Cats are exceeding expectations. They have conceded just four goals to United’s 11.
Is United’s malaise just because of Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation? Are the players fit for purpose, or is it just a bad phase that should be patiently waited out?
Team news
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As the lines on Amorim’s face become more pronounced, he is determined to remain in the league despite difficulty. He welcomes back Amad Diallo and Casemiro, who served a one-match suspension against Burnley. A member of the bomb squad, Tyrell Malacia, has also been added to the squad. Meanwhile, the duo of Noussair Mazraoui and Lisandro Martinez are yet to resume full recovery.
Sunderland, on the other hand, will be missing Reinildo Mandava due to suspension and the quartet of Habib Diarra, Leo Hjelde, Romaine Mundle and Dennis Cirkin. Coach Regis has also revealed on the club’s official X handle that Nordi Mukiele will be available for the United test this weekend.
According to Regis, during the pre-match conference ahead of Saturday’s game, he said his side will maintain their composure at Old Trafford. Watch below:
Watch the training session of Manchester United players below, as shown on their official X handle:
In head-to-head meetings, United have the advantage, winning seven of eight against the Black Cats at Old Trafford, a record Amorim will wish to continue on Saturday. The last time both sides met was in 2017 at the Stadium of Light, where the trio of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcus Rashford and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Watch below Mkhitaryan’s backheel goal against Sunderland as shown on Manchester United’s official X handle:
Possible Match Lineup
Man United: Lammens, Shaw, Maguire, Ligt, Dorgu, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot, Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko
Sunderland: Roefs, Masuaku, Alderete, Mukiele, Hume, Xhaka, Rigg, Sadiki, Fée, Isidor, Talbi
Softfootball Prediction: Man. Utd 2-2 Sunderland
