Ben McKevitt says…
The performances this team has produced so far are making it very difficult to remain too cautious or pessimistic as we plunge deeper into the campaign — in great contrast with our wider recent history.
If you’d have told me even after Wembley that a large percentage of the fan base believe that we can get a win away at Old Trafford at this point, I think it would’ve been pushing it a bit.
However, the season has developed as it has and I’m cautiously optimistic ahead of Saturday.
United are in an almighty
spiral, and Ruben Amorim’s days appear numbered, regardless of the result. The narrative that surrounds us as a potentially fatal blow to his reign do trigger some warning signs as a long-term Lads fan, but I do truly believe we have it in us.
United are not the team of old. They’re genuinely bad in almost every recordable metric, and we’re genuinely good, despite our relative weaknesses in forward areas. Our strengths from set pieces and defensive solidity strike at the core of their numerous weaknesses,and if we manage to quieten an already shaky Old Trafford, I believe we can deal that death blow.
I don’t want to tempt fate as United still have the quality individuals that can punish you despite the overall team performance, but I think we’re definitely capable of bringing home a point….or three.
Ciaran McKenna says…
A few weeks ago, I said that we could cause United some problems and maybe find a point at Old Trafford. Now, with the winds of a great away win in our sails, I think we couldn’t be in a better position to face them.
I am not going to say that I have studied Manchester United game footage and figured out their weaknesses, but I don’t really think you need to.
Their long term struggles of defending balls into the box was highlighted against Brentford; the whole squad seems alarmingly disjointed and they have a manager under supreme pressure, unwilling to falter from his gameplan. Régis Le Bris will definitely be aware of all of this and I am sure he’ll have something tactical up his sleeve.
With our range of powerful lads, there’s definite potential to dominate in both boxes.
We also have a well-bonded and passionate group of players that are clearly willing to fight for each other and the fans. I also have every faith in the Lads to not be blinded by the ‘Big Six’ lights of the Premier League and to use the likely toxic atmosphere of Old Trafford to their advantage.
We can’t afford to be complacent, as Manchester United are still dangerous. Bruno Fernandes is one of the best midfielders in the league and we’re very aware of the threats that Amad can pose. However, the world has quickly learned not to write us off and I fully believe in the Lads’ ability to get something from Saturday’s clash.
Ian Bendelow says…
Whenever we ask ourselves this question, we should really ask: “What would Granit Xhaka say?”
The Rueben Amorim “green-shoots-it’s-all-over” boom and bust cycle shows no sign of abating, and that gives hope — almost expectation — of a positive result. Because to me, Manchester United’s squad is a bit like a box of chocolates that are in actual fact chocolate-coated Turkish delights: outwardly they look OK but in the middle are f*cking minging.
They’re the diametric opposite of Sunderland: no plan, no belief, no hope and no leadership. A club in crisis versus a club which is enjoying every minute of their Premier League life. Who you gonna back?
So, it has to give you hope Sunderland will get some sort of result on Saturday. However this is football and nothing is guaranteed, but the trust in the management means we all know we’ll be going to win — and you can’t say we’ve gone to Old Trafford with that mentality on many of our recent trips, except maybe under Gus Poyet.
John Wilson says…
I used to do the football pools coupon with my dad and never came close to getting a sniff at winning money. As we all know, football has a great knack of throwing expectations or predictions right back in your face.
Anything could happen at Old Trafford this weekend, from a heavy defeat to a brilliant away win. All we can go on is form, and the depth of growing confidence and belief around our club at the moment.
Given our start and the identity we’re starting to forge, we certainly shouldn’t be going to Manchester with any fear.
It would take many poor seasons for this particular ‘United’ to lose the aura that the club has, and it most definitely isn’t the same monster of a team that it was under Sir Alex Ferguson. I’m old enough to have seen the Lads play Utd at Roker Park in the second tier of English football in the early 70s. Nothing should be taken for granted in this game — and this United team is only united in name only.
All I’m saying is that I’ve never felt so confident of a Sunderland side going to the Red Devils and getting something out of the game.
I was hopeful of a draw at Forest — another point on the road would be excellent and another three would send waves of elation through the Sunderland fanbase. A breakaway goal or a set piece…I don’t care — it’s just amazing that I’m viewing this fixture not with trepidation or nerves, but with excitement and hope.
Joseph Tulip says…
Whisper it quietly, but we have a great chance of getting something at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Manchester United are certainly not what they once were. They’ve not started the season well and despite new arrivals, appear to be in a similar state of upheaval and despair to that which has plagued them for several seasons.
By contrast, Sunderland are enjoying our best start to a top flight campaign in many a year, with quality in our ranks and a never-say-die attitude which is carving out some impressive results.
However, let’s not simply assume these opposing trends will automatically result in an away win. This is still Manchester United at Old Trafford and we’re still a newly-promoted team.
Yes I do fancy our chances. I’m looking forward to seeing how their fragile defence and midfield cope with our intensity and confidence. But I’m not taking anything for granted. I would certainly take a point — and a very good point it would be at that.
Nic Wiseman says…
Given the relative fortunes of the two clubs, you’d have to favour an away win, which would make it two away wins in a row. When was the last time we did that in the Premier League? If ever?
I see the Betfair odds have United as 2/5-on favourites and we’re rated at 9/2 for the win — bonkers odds, given the recent form of the respective teams.
Yes, Manchester United have a number of hugely gifted individuals but Ruben Amorim seems to have little idea of how to get a tune out of them. Mason Mount seems a shadow of the player who helped Derby County to the Championship playoff final in 2019, and Bruno Fernandes is a whining moaner not in the tradition of a Manchester United captain.
Contrast that to the red and white wizards who have, in Régis Le Bris, a coach who has the ability to read each game differently — even during games. Recruitment been spot on and the attitude of the players lies bare to the fact that they get the club, the fans and the project.
Man U are fasting on former glories whereas we’re enjoying the ride. The “This is Sunderland” factor still hasn’t left my ears, but a Sunderland win has to be on the cards.
