Premier League Preview: Sunderland – Manchester United
Both teams need three points for entirely different reasons as the Black Cats welcome the Red Devils to the Stadium of Light...
9 Apr 2009 20:56:17
The honeymoon period is over, and Ricky Sbragia is desperately searching for the result that will see Sunderland beat their North East rivals to Premier League survival.
Since taking over the Sunderland hot seat in December, the former Manchester United reserve team coach has presided over a less than inspiring spell in charge.
The free scoring wins against Hull City and West Bromwich Albion are a now but a distant memory. Last weekend’s 2-0 loss to a depleted West Ham United side has raised the pressure even more as the trap door back to the Championship beckons.
In any normal period, the visit of the reigning English and European champions would hardly seem like the type of fixture to get an inspiring result from. However, the Black Cats faithful know it’s time to pounce.
For an upset to be registered, the home side’s front men must re-discover their shooting boots. French international Djibril Cisse and highly rated target man Kenwyne Jones were supposed to be the men to fire the club to safety.
The disappointing duo have instead have failed to find the back of the net since the beginning of February. When this is aligned with a leaky defence, all the ingredients for a recipe for relegation are present.
With United’s rearguard in an uncharacteristically welcoming mode, the front men should get plenty of opportunities to re-discover their scoring touch.
If they make Edwin Van der Sar pick the ball out of his net, then the Red and Whites should be galvanised enough to send Middlesbrough and Newcastle United down a division.
Stumbling On
After getting out of jail against Aston Villa, the visit of Porto was supposed to herald the re-birth of Manchester United’s five pronged quest for honours.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men now travel up the A1 to Sunderland with their Champions League dream hanging by a thread and Premier League ambitions called into question once more.
To put it kindly, the Red Devils were disappointing against the Portuguese in the 2-2 draw. Second best in every department, and lucky not to be three goals down within the opening 20 minutes, the Scottish manager will have forcibly told his players that a repeat show on Saturday is not acceptable.
Again, the Mancunians record breaking rearguard bore the brunt of the manager’s wrath. Just four minutes were on the clock when Jonny Evans put the first on a plate, and just one minute was left when a mix up allowed Mariano in the clear to equalise.
Sure, Sunderland are hardly firing on all cylinders. But, if goals are handed out cheaply again, then the Premier League momentum which has swayed in the Reds favour after Liverpool’s dreadful loss to Chelsea will be stopped dead in its tracks.
Thankfully for anyone of a United persuasion, the blow to the ribs which Wayne Rooney suffered on Tuesday night is not expected to keep him out of the action. The Scouser was United’s only saving grace that night.
Without him in the side, his bitter enemies from the other half of Merseyside could be in a celebratory mood once more by Saturday evening.
FORM GUIDE
Sunderland:
April 04 vs. West Ham United (A) LOST 2-0 (PREM)
March 22 vs. Manchester City (A) LOST 1-0 (PREM)
March 14 vs. Wigan Athletic (H) LOST 2-1 (PREM)
March 07 vs. Tottenham Hotspur (H) DREW 1-1 (PREM)
March 03 vs. Liverpool (A) LOST 2-0 (PREM)
Manchester United:
April 07 vs. Porto (H) DREW 2-2 (CHAMP LG)
April 05 vs. Aston Villa (H) WON 3-2 (PREM)
March 21 vs. Fulham (A) LOST 2-0 (PREM)
March 14 vs. Liverpool (H) LOST 4-1 (PREM)
March 11 vs. Internazionale (H) WON 2-0 (CHAMP LG)
TEAM NEWS
Sunderland:
George McCartney is expected to be back in the match day squad after recovering from an ankle injury. Centre back Calum Davenport also returns to the fold after being unable to feature against parent club West Ham United last weekend.
Finland international Teemu Tainio (knee) and David Connolly (groin) are still sidelined.
Last starting XI (vs. West Ham United): Gordon, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Ben-Haim, Collins, Malbranque (Edwards 75), Whitehead, Richardson, Leadbitter, Cisse, Murphy (Jones 54).
Subs Not Used: Fulop, Nosworthy, Reid, Healy, McShane.
Squad: Gordon, Fulop, Colgan, McCartney, Nosworthy, Davenport, Bardsley, McShane, Ferdinand, Ben-Haim, Collins, Malbranque, Edwards, Reid, Yorke, Whitehead, Richardson, Leadbitter, Healy, Cisse, Murphy, Jones.
Possible starting XI: Gordon, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Davenport, Collins, Malbranque, Whitehead, Richardson, Leadbitter, Cisse, Jones.
Manchester United:
Question marks hang over the participation of central defenders Jonny Evans (groin) and Rio Ferdinand (groin) for the visit to the Stadium of Light.
Anderson (thigh) and Rafael (foot) are also likely to be missing. Wes Brown (foot) and Dimitar Berbatov (foot) are still a week away from returning. Owen Hargreaves (knee) continues his rehabilitation from surgery.
Last starting XI (vs. Porto): Van der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Evans (Neville 72), Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes (Tevez 72), Ronaldo, Rooney, Park (Giggs 58).
Subs Not Used: Foster, Eckersley, Nani, Macheda.
Squad: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Evra, O’Shea, Evans, Ferdinand, Fabio, Eckersley, Fletcher, Carrick, Possebon, Gibson, Park, Scholes, Giggs, Nani, Ronaldo, Macheda, Tevez, Rooney, Welbeck.
Possible starting XI: Van der Sar, O’Shea, Vidic, Neville, Evra, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sunderland: Just like his team-mates, Steed Malbranque has lost his spark in recent months. The former Fulham player enjoyed tormenting Manchester United several times during his days as a Cottager. If he can provide the inspiration once again, then Sunderland might just get the result needed to steady a sinking ship.
Manchester United: As the Reds defensive crisis deepens, Nemanja Vidic must use his famous resolve to drag his team-mates through. The Serbian wasn’t at his best on his return from suspension in mid-week, but with Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans scratching for full fitness, United are relying on him to keep Sunderland out.
PREDICTION
Whatever happens on Saturday, don’t expect to tune in and see a classic game. Both teams are struggling to mount the final hurdle, and this should be a closely fought contest.
Manchester United’s superior quality will see them through ahead of Ricky Sbragia’s relegation threatened side, but the margin between victory and defeat will be narrow.
Sunderland 1-2 Manchester United