Sunderland vs Manchester United – News and Probable Lineups

Manchester United has secured their place in the Champions League, but the status of interim head coach Michael Carrick remains uncertain ahead of the upcoming Premier League match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this Saturday.

The Red Devils aim to achieve their ninth Premier League double over the Black Cats after claiming a 2-0 victory in the earlier meeting at Old Trafford seven months ago.

Match overview

Following a difficult 2025-26 season without European football, Man United is set to return to the Champions League next term after securing a 3-2 win against rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford last weekend, with local player Kobbie Mainoo scoring a late winner.

Under former boss Ruben Amorim, the Red Devils finished 15th last season, but a win over Sunderland, combined with Liverpool not winning against Chelsea, would guarantee Carrick’s team a third-place finish with two matches still to play.

No team in the Premier League has earned more points than Man United (32) since Carrick’s appointment in mid-January, and they have also secured more league victories (10) during his tenure than they did in their first 20 matches under Amorim (W8 D7 L5).

Several players from his revitalized squad have strongly supported Carrick for the permanent managerial position, and he indicated this week that he expects the club to announce their decision regarding his future by the month’s end.

Meanwhile, Man United will seek to secure a fourth consecutive Premier League win and enhance their record at the Stadium of Light, where they have lost only one of their last 15 visits in the top flight (W10 D4).

Since their 1-0 victory over Tottenham at home on April 12, Sunderland has not managed to win any of their last three Premier League fixtures, diminishing their chances of qualifying for European competition.

Eight days after experiencing a heavy 5-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, the Black Cats were held to a 1-1 draw by last-placed Wolves at Molineux last weekend. This match featured a controversial sending-off of Daniel Ballard in the first half for tugging an opponent’s hair, a decision that has since been disputed.

With Sunderland sitting 12th in the table and four points adrift of the top seven, head coach Regis Le Bris hopes his team can end the season on a high note, having surpassed expectations and never been in genuine danger of relegation.

A daunting fixture against Man United awaits Sunderland, having only won three of their 33 Premier League meetings with the Red Devils. They have suffered more defeats (24) in this matchup than against any other opponent in the division.

The Black Cats have lost four of their last five home matches and are yet to secure a victory in their last 28 top-flight encounters against teams that were in the top four at kickoff (D9 L19) since their 2-1 win against Chelsea away in April 2014 under Gus Poyet.

Team News

Sunderland defender Ballard will begin serving a three-match suspension, and Romaine Mundle (hamstring) continues to be unavailable due to injury. However, Nilson Angulo (unspecified) and Bertrand Traore (knee) have returned to training this week after lengthy absences and may be included in the matchday squad.

Either Luke O’Nien or Lutsharel Geertruida is likely to step in for Ballard and partner Omar Alderete in central defence. Nordi Mukiele may also start in the heart of defence if he is not selected for the right-back position.

Granit Xhaka has netted more goals from outside the penalty area against Man United (three) than any other player, and the Sunderland captain could be accompanied in central midfield by Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra, the latter aiming for a spot in the starting XI.

As for Man United, Matthijs de Ligt (back) remains sidelined due to injury, while Benjamin Sesko is a slight doubt with a shin injury sustained against Liverpool, which resulted in him being substituted at half-time. Carrick did not comment on Sesko’s fitness at his pre-match press conference.

However, Lisandro Martinez is eligible to return from a three-game suspension and is expected to replace Ayden Heaven in central defence, while Luke Shaw should retain his position at left-back despite Patrick Dorgu’s return to fitness.

Bruno Fernandes is just one assist shy of breaking the all-time record of 20 assists for a single Premier League season and is anticipated to continue in an advanced central midfield role, while Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and former Sunderland loanee Amad Diallo compete for places out wide.

Sunderland probable starting XI:

Roefs; Mukiele, O’Nien, Alderete, Reinildo; Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Diarra, Le Fee; Brobby

Manchester United probable starting XI:

Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko

Sunderland’s recent records at home do not inspire confidence (W1 L4), but the Black Cats will be motivated for their penultimate home fixture of the season in front of a sell-out crowd, as Le Bris’s side still harbors hopes of finishing in the top seven.

With Man United conceding in eight of their last 10 Premier League matches, the hosts will feel they can find the back of the net. However, it’s likely the informed visitors will outscore their rivals on the way to a close win.