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Preview: Sunderland next up for Amorim’s United

Preview: Sunderland next up for Amorim’s United

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Manchester United, the underperforming team with the highest xG in the Premier League host the high-flying Black Cats at Old Trafford.

By Filip Mishov

Could Amorim’s 50th match in charge be his last at the helm?

Ruben Amorim‘s appalling record in the Premier League continued with United’s defeat to Brentford meaning they once again failed to recored back-to-back victories despite winning the xG battle once again, or more precisely for the fifth time in their seven matches this season.

With that being said and the international window coming up, the pressure is on the Portuguese coach to deliver. If Sunderland extend their impressive start to the season with a result here, it could force Jim Ratcliffe & co. to decide now is the time to make a change.

The in-form Black Cats are on a four-match unbeaten streak and Régis Le Bris‘ squad currently find themselves fifth in the standings, defying the pre-season odds in the process. Furthermore, the newly-promoted club have won only one point (11) less than the Red Devils (12) since April in the Premier League, which says a lot about the former’s early success and the latter’s continued failings.

Historically speaking, though, Sunderland’s record at the Theatre of Dreams is woeful – they have won just once at Old Trafford since 1968, and that came back in 2014.

Key players

Despite Bruno Fernandes‘ penalty misses this season, the captain remains Manchester United’s main difference-maker and both his coach and teammates turn to him when a must-win match is on the horizon. Also, even though the Portuguese has not looked himself at times, the 31-year-old is still an elite playmaker and one of the best chance creators in the league. Given his strong character and one could even say stubbornness to put things right, a high-quality performance is both needed and expected after the loss to Brentford.

Granit Xhaka‘s arrival at the Stadium of Light might have turned a few heads, but the newly-appointed captain has instilled belief and much-needed experience to the Black Cats’ dressing room. Additionally, the Swiss international has been nominated for September’s Player of the Month award in the Premier League and is currently tracking as the second-best player in the squad with a FotMob rating of 7.62. He also leads the team in assists with three. The energetic midfielder has played each and every minute of the campaign so far and the former Arsenal player has scored three times against the Red Devils, although never at Old Trafford.

Team news

Ruben Amorim welcomed back Tyrell Malacia and Amad Diallo to first-team training after the Dutch left back failed to secure a move away, while the Ivorian winger is back after being granted time away. Casemiro is available again after serving a one-match suspension. Lisandro Martínez and Noussair Mazraoui remain out, but the under-fire coach has big decisions to make about who starts both between the sticks and in defence.

The Black Cats’ injury list is far more extensive than the Red Devils’, and additionally, Reinildo is serving a three-match suspension, which only adds to Régis Le Bris’ headache. Whatever their starting XI, though, they have raised their game in the Premier League so far.

Prediction

With Manchester United’s defensive weaknesses being fully exposed last weekend, Sunderland’s energetic approach will provide an even sterner test for Ruben Amorim on this personal landmark occasion. I expect goals on both sides and a narrow home win, but only because of the Red Devils’ superior individual quality.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings. Download the free app here.

Preview: Sunderland next up for Amorim’s United

Manchester United, the underperforming team with the highest xG in the Premier League host the high-flying Black Cats at Old Trafford.

By Filip Mishov

Could Amorim’s 50th match in charge be his last at the helm?

Ruben Amorim‘s appalling record in the Premier League continued with United’s defeat to Brentford meaning they once again failed to recored back-to-back victories despite winning the xG battle once again, or more precisely for the fifth time in their seven matches this season.

With that being said and the international window coming up, the pressure is on the Portuguese coach to deliver. If Sunderland extend their impressive start to the season with a result here, it could force Jim Ratcliffe & co. to decide now is the time to make a change.

The in-form Black Cats are on a four-match unbeaten streak and Régis Le Bris‘ squad currently find themselves fifth in the standings, defying the pre-season odds in the process. Furthermore, the newly-promoted club have won only one point (11) less than the Red Devils (12) since April in the Premier League, which says a lot about the former’s early success and the latter’s continued failings.

Historically speaking, though, Sunderland’s record at the Theatre of Dreams is woeful – they have won just once at Old Trafford since 1968, and that came back in 2014.

Key players

Despite Bruno Fernandes‘ penalty misses this season, the captain remains Manchester United’s main difference-maker and both his coach and teammates turn to him when a must-win match is on the horizon. Also, even though the Portuguese has not looked himself at times, the 31-year-old is still an elite playmaker and one of the best chance creators in the league. Given his strong character and one could even say stubbornness to put things right, a high-quality performance is both needed and expected after the loss to Brentford.

Granit Xhaka‘s arrival at the Stadium of Light might have turned a few heads, but the newly-appointed captain has instilled belief and much-needed experience to the Black Cats’ dressing room. Additionally, the Swiss international has been nominated for September’s Player of the Month award in the Premier League and is currently tracking as the second-best player in the squad with a FotMob rating of 7.62. He also leads the team in assists with three. The energetic midfielder has played each and every minute of the campaign so far and the former Arsenal player has scored three times against the Red Devils, although never at Old Trafford.

Team news

Ruben Amorim welcomed back Tyrell Malacia and Amad Diallo to first-team training after the Dutch left back failed to secure a move away, while the Ivorian winger is back after being granted time away. Casemiro is available again after serving a one-match suspension. Lisandro Martínez and Noussair Mazraoui remain out, but the under-fire coach has big decisions to make about who starts both between the sticks and in defence.

The Black Cats’ injury list is far more extensive than the Red Devils’, and additionally, Reinildo is serving a three-match suspension, which only adds to Régis Le Bris’ headache. Whatever their starting XI, though, they have raised their game in the Premier League so far.

Prediction

With Manchester United’s defensive weaknesses being fully exposed last weekend, Sunderland’s energetic approach will provide an even sterner test for Ruben Amorim on this personal landmark occasion. I expect goals on both sides and a narrow home win, but only because of the Red Devils’ superior individual quality.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from the Premier League with FotMob this season – featuring deep stats coverage, xG, player ratings. Download the free app here.