Manchester United continues the Champions League chase (12:45 p.m UK Time).
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Sunderland host Manchester United in the Premier League this weekend.
United, which – with 41 points – has its lowest points haul in a Premier League campaign after 26 games, was outplayed and outfought in the second half after coming back into the game late in the first half.
Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney says that this weekend’s match against Sunderland is a “must-win” encounter for their Champions League hopes.
Six of Sunderland’s last seven home games have seen fewer than 2.5 goals and I expect this one to follow suit; back Under 2.5 Goals at odds of around [1.8].
Wayne Rooney has netted five goals in 2016 and netted in United’s 3-0 defeat of Sunderland back in September: back the United skipper to net anytime at 6/4.
Three minutes into the second half and Sunderland had another penalty appeal waived away after Rooney blocked O’Shea’s header with his arm.
Manager Sam Allardyce also confirmed that Younes Kaboul (ankle), Sebastian Larsson (knee), Jeremain Lens (hernia) and Duncan Watmore (ankle) have all been ruled out. We looked unsafe going forward and defended well for most of the game. This could, if you believe all the terrible gossip, be Louis van Gaal’s last chance to add an English title to the ones he won in the Netherlands, Spain and Germany. Louis van Gaal is expected to name an unchanged side to the team which drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge, though Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin are pushing for starts. That meant United had to give a debut to Scotland under-21 worldwide Donald Love – who had never before been in a matchday squad for the Red Devils and recently returned from a two-month loan spell at League One Wigan Athletic. Southampton endured a miserable run of form during late November and early January, but Ronald Koeman’s men appear to have turned their season around thanks to a five-game unbeaten run that has produced 13 points.
Marouane Fellaini is set to make his 200th Premier League appearance.
Sunderland could have made it 2 nil on 10 minutes after a scramble in the box led to Defoe having a sight at goal from 6 yards but Darmian got his foot in just in time.
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But time is running out, and with Newcastle and Swansea and Bournemouth all starting to seem like they’re starting to find decent form above Sunderland, they have to start winning games, and winning them now.
