Premier League: Manchester United vs Sunderland match preview

A look ahead to Saturday’s Premier League fixture at Old Trafford

(Getty)

With every match from now until the end of the season vital, the race for the Top 4 and the battle to stay in the Premier League continues to intensify as every Premier League week passes by.

Manchester United will be keen to bounce back with a win against Sunderland this Saturday at Old Trafford, after being beaten 2-1 away at Swansea last weekend. United’s style of play has come into question in recent weeks as many believe that Louis Van Gaal’s current side, are failing to play the classic “Manchester United way” of attacking fluid football.

Sunderland find themselves in 16th and only three points above the relegation zone. Last season’s meeting between the two sides saw Sunderland record their first victory over United at Old Trafford for the first time since 1968.

Could Sunderland record a second successive victory at Old Trafford? Or Will United’s forward line be too hot to handle for Gus Poyet’s men?

Find out this weekend.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Sunderland 1 (Rodwell) Man Utd 1 (Mata) Premier League, August 2014

Man Utd 0 Sunderland 1 (Larsson) Premier League, May 2014

Man Utd 2 Sunderland 1 (Larsson) [Sunderland through 2-1 on penalties] Capital One Cup, Jan 2014

STATS…

Manchester United suffered only their second defeat in 20 matches in all competitions last weekend at Swansea

United have averaged just 1.7 points per game in their last six league games.

Wayne Rooney’s last league goal came on Boxing Day against Newcastle.

The highest percentage of Sunderland’s goals this season in the League, have come between the 75th – 90th minute mark (27.3%)

Sunderland haven’t won a League game in their last three matches (D, L, D)

ODDS…

Manchester United to win: 1.4

Sunderland to win: 10.5

Draw: 5.5

TV: Highlights on Match of the Day, Saturday, 10:30pm