High-flying Sunderland will look to add to Manchester United’s early-season woes when they visit Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides since April 2017, when the Red Devils eased to a 3-0 win at the Stadium of Light. Much has changed since then, but the stakes are as high as ever.
United boss Ruben Amorim remains under pressure after a stuttering start to the 2025-26 campaign. The Portuguese coach has overseen three defeats in the opening six Premier League matches, alongside two wins and a draw, with his side conceding 11 goals already.
Just days after edging Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford, United came crashing back down with a 3-1 loss at Brentford, a result that left them sitting 14th in the table.
Amorim now prepares for his 50th game in charge of the club, but history offers little comfort. None of United’s last five permanent managers managed to win their half-century match, with Sir Alex Ferguson the last to do so way back in 1987.
Still, there are some positives. United are unbeaten in their last 24 Premier League games against newly promoted teams (W21, D3) since that infamous 4-1 loss at Watford in 2021, which also happened to be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s final game. Their record against Sunderland is also dominant: only two defeats in the last 30 league meetings, with 22 victories. Having won their last two home league games, Amorim’s men are now chasing three in a row at Old Trafford for the first time since 2023.
While promoted teams have often struggled in recent years, Sunderland have made a superb return to the topflight after an eight-year absence. Regis Le Bris’s side have collected 11 points from their first six matches — their best start to a top-flight season since 1967-68.
The Black Cats are unbeaten in four (W2, D2), with their latest result a gritty 1-0 victory at Nottingham Forest. Along the way, they’ve also taken points from Brentford, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa. Unsurprisingly, Le Bris has been nominated for September’s Premier League Manager of the Month, and he has called on his team to show “strong personality and character” on their trip to Old Trafford.
Sunderland, though, will know the size of the challenge. They have only one win from their last 31 visits to Manchester United in all competitions a 1-0 triumph in May 2014 thanks to Sebastian Larsson. Across the Premier League, their record in Manchester is bleak: just one win from 29 away matches against United and City combined, with an average of 0.24 points per game — the worst return of any side with more than 15 trips to the two giants.
Sunderland arrive in buoyant mood, but history says Old Trafford is rarely a happy hunting ground for them.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Manchester United remain without Lisandro Martinez (knee) and Noussair Mazraoui (thigh), but there is some positive news for Ruben Amorim. Casemiro is back from suspension and Amad Diallo, who missed the Brentford defeat following a family bereavement, has returned to training and could feature.
Amorim was far from impressed with his defence last weekend, hauling off two of his three centre-backs during the second half. That could open the door for Leny Yoro to come back into the side, likely at the expense of Harry Maguire. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens continues to wait for his Premier League debut, but he is pushing Altay Bayindir hard for a place between the posts.
Further forward, captain Bruno Fernandes will once again be key. The Portuguese playmaker has an impressive record against promoted sides, registering five goals and six assists in his last nine such matches. He should partner either Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte in midfield, while summer signings Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko are expected to keep their spots in the attack.
For Sunderland, head coach Regis Le Bris has several injury concerns to contend with. Habib Diarra (groin), Romaine Mundle (hamstring), Dennis Cirkin (wrist), Aji Alese (shoulder) and Leo Hjelde (Achilles) are all unavailable, while Reinildo Mandava serves the second game of his three-match suspension.
There was a boost, however, as Nordi Mukiele has been declared fit despite rumours of a knock, and he could continue in central defence alongside Omar Alderete. Daniel Ballard is another option if Le Bris opts for rotation.
In midfield, Granit Xhaka is expected to line up with Noah Sadiki and youngster Chris Rigg. Xhaka has been in excellent creative form, setting up Sunderland’s last three Premier League goals. If he manages another assist at Old Trafford, he will join Chris Waddle (1997) as the only Black Cats player to provide four in a row.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko
Sunderland possible starting lineup:
Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Masuaku; Rigg, Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Isidor, Le Fee
EXPERT PREDICTION
Manchester United 2-1 Sunderland
