Champions League football has been secured for Manchester United, but the future of interim head coach Michael Carrick is yet to be decided ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The Red Devils are looking to complete their ninth Premier League double over the Black Cats after winning 2-0 in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford seven months ago.
No Premier League team has accumulated more points than Man United since the arrival of Carrick in mid-January (32),
while the 20-time English champions have also won more league games (10) under the 44-year-old than they managed in their first 20 matches of the season under Amorim (W8 D7 L5).
Carrick has been heavily backed by several members of his rejuvenated squad to become the permanent Man United manager, and he suggested this week that he is expecting the club to communicate their decision on his future before the end of the month.
In the meantime, Man United will endeavour to claim a fourth successive Premier League win and improve their record at the Stadium of Light, where they have lost just one of their 15 visits in the top flight (W10 D4).
Matthijs de Ligt (back) remains out injured and Benjamin Sesko is a minor doubt with a shin issue picked up against Liverpool that forced the striker to be withdrawn at half time – Carrick did not address Sesko’s fitness at his pre-match press conference.
However, Lisandro Martinez is available to return from a three-game suspension and is expected to replace Ayden Heaven at centre-back, while Luke Shaw should continue at left-back despite the return to fitness of Patrick Dorgu.
Bruno Fernandes is just one assist away from the all-time record of 20 for a single Premier League season, and the playmaker is expected to continue in an advanced central midfield role, while Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and ex-Sunderland loanee Amad Diallo all battle for starts out wide.
Premier League Schedule
It’s an afternoon kickoff in the UK, which means a 10:30 a.m. kickoff on the East Coast of the U.S.
Premier League Channel
The match is on Sky Sports Premier League in the UK. Those Stateside can watch on NBC Sports or Peacock. For Spanish language coverage, tune into Telemundo. In Canada, it’s on DAZN and Fubo.
Everyone else, head on over to LiveSoccerTV to find your viewing options.
Predicted Lineup
Manchester United possible starting lineup: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
