Overview
The match against Sunderland this weekend will be of particular significance to coach Ruben Amorim.
Although there is no sign that Man United's board wants to terminate the contract, international breaks are always a sensitive time to make big decisions. If the "Red Devils" fail, it will be a long and stressful two weeks of waiting.
History is not on Amorim's side either. This match marked his 50th leading Man United in all competitions, while all five of his most recent predecessors to reach this milestone - David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag - were unable to win.
Man United have won their last two Premier League home games - a tally of all nine previous games combined at Old Trafford. However, the "Red Devils" are still aiming for a more important goal - 3 consecutive home wins for the first time since a series of 8 wins from April to August 2023. The Old Trafford fortress, which was once a source of pride, has now collapsed in the past 2 years, and this is an opportunity for them to regain their position.
Sunderland entered the match in a positive spirit after the most impressive start of a newly promoted side since West Ham in 2012. However, history is against them.
Sunderland have won just one of their 29 away games against Manchester in the Premier League. With 4 draws and 24 losses, they have only earned an average of 0.24 points per game - the worst number in the group that has played more than 15 away matches in Manchester. Hopes to improve coach Regis Le Bris's performance are even more fragile when the team loses up to 6 players.
Aji Alese is about to return, while Dennis Cirkin, Leo Hjelde and Romaine Mundle are expected to return after the international break. Habib Diarra will be out for a long time, while reinildo is absent due to suspension.
At the very least, Sunderland can rely on Granit Xhaka. The Swiss midfielder has assisted in all three of his team's most recent Premier League goals, extending his form to just four games behind Chris Waddle's record of four consecutive games since 1997. Xhaka also assisted in the last meeting with Man United in January 2023 - a factor that could give the "Blackeo" confidence.
On the other side, Man United's personnel situation is more positive. Casemiro returns from suspension, Amad Diallo is also ready to participate. Only Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui are definitely absent.
Amorim will have high expectations for Bruno Fernandes. The Man United captain has scored 5 goals and 6 assists in the last 9 matches against new recruits, but two missed penalty kicks against Fulham and Brentford this season have cost the home team regrettably points.
However, Fernandes is still Man United's creative brain, leading the Premier League in passing defense leading to shots (4) and being the player most involved in shots (37).
If Sunderland leave Old Trafford with 1 point, they will equal the 12-point record that Southampton have won throughout the 2024-2025 season. Although Man United are rated higher and have more chances to win, the possibility of the away team creating a positive result cannot be underestimated.
Head-to-head record
The head-to-head record is clearly leaning towards Man United. The Red Devils have lost just two of their last 30 Premier League meetings with Sunderland (W22), and their last defeat came in April 2017. At Old Trafford, that superiority is further consolidated.
In the last 31 away matches in all competitions against Man United, Sunderland have only had one success - a 1-0 win in May 2014 thanks to Sebastian Larsson's goal.
Since then, the "Black Mo" have only returned to Old Trafford three times, but the number of red cards they have received is equal to the number of goals scored (one), and all 3 matches ended in defeat.
Score prediction: Man United 2-1 Sunderland
The match between Man United and Sunderland takes place at 9:00 p.m. on October 4 (Vietnam time).
