MAN UNITED PREVIEW

Sunderland travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the final game before the October international break. The mood in the home team’s camp could hardly be lower, with Ruben Amorim’s men sitting in 14th in the Premier League and the Portuguese gaffer’s job on the brink. In contrast, our mood couldn’t be much better. The Lads have had the best start to life in the top flight for a newly promoted side for 13 years and we’ve just taken points from three teams in European competitions in a row, including our most recent exploit in the form of a 1-0 win away to Nottingham Forest. Here’s the key information on the Red Devils:

FORM

In Man United’s last five league matches they’ve managed two victories (3-2 versus Burnley and 2-1 versus Chelsea), one draw (1-1 versus Fulham) and two defeats (3-0 versus Manchester City and 3-1 versus Brentford). Their most recent game was the defeat away to Brentford, Benjamin Sesko scoring the goal for the Reds. Within their last five games in all competitions, they also went out on penalties in the League Cup second round to fourth tier Grimsby Town. Our opponents have fared much better at home so far this season, winning two of their three games at the Theatre of Dreams. When you delve deeper though, it doesn’t look as good as the results suggest. They needed a last minute penalty to beat Burnley and scored both goals against Chelsea whilst they had a man advantage due to a red card. In fairness though, their 1-0 opening day defeat to Arsenal was a tad unlucky based on how they played.

THE MANAGER

40-year-old Ruben Amorim is the current head coach, he’s been in charge since November 2024. This game will be his 50th in the dugout. Of his 49 matches so far, he’s won 19, drawn nine and lost 21. Previously, he’s been the boss of Casa Pia, Braga B, Braga and Sporting CP. He had a lot of success in Portugal as a manager, winning a Portuguese League Cup with Braga and three league titles, two league cups and one Portuguese Super Cup with Sporting. Additionally, he was named the Primeira Liga’s Manager of the Month on nine different occasions and the Manager of the Season twice. As a player, he was a midfielder and turned out for Belenenses, Benfica, Braga and Al-Wakrah and earned 14 caps for Portugal. He won three league titles with Benfica plus one Cup of Portugal, five League Cups and a Super Cup and then at Braga he won another League Cup. Reportedly, this match is his last chance at keeping his current role.

KEY PLAYERS

Turkey international Altay Bayindir is their number one goalkeeper, he’s still looking to keep his first clean sheet of the campaign. Attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes and right winger Bryan Mbeumo are their joint-top scorers, both with two each so far. None of their players have registered more than one assist yet. Mbeumo was a new addition in the last transfer window and other new signings included striker Sesko, attacking midfielder Matheus Cunha and goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Also, it would be amiss of me not to mention former Sunderland player Amad Diallo.

THE STADIUM

Old Trafford was once one of the showpiece stadiums of English, and also European and world, football. At over 110 years old now though, its age is beginning to show and maintenance issues consistently plague the ground. The fact that it wasn’t selected to be one of the venues for the upcoming European Championship in 2028 is a perfect example of its declining status. “The Theatre of Dreams” played a role in the 1966 World Cup, 1996 European Championship and was where the 2003 Champions League final took place. Its days now look numbered, with plans drawn up to move United to a new 100,000 seater stadium. A sad fate for such an historic ground and for the biggest ground in the Premier League, holding 74,197.

PREDICTION

I think even when Manchester United are having a bad time of things, playing them away will always be tough for a newly promoted team. Since Burnley almost got something from them, I think aiming for a point is entirely sensible. I’m going to say a 1-1 draw will be the result.