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Played
December 15, 2012 3:00 p.m. GMT
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee:‬ C. Foy‎
Attendance:‬ 75582‎
 

Manchester United - Sunderland Preview: Sir Alex Ferguson looking to extend six-point gap with Black Cats victory

The Red Devils increased their advantage over Premier League champions Manchester City with a 3-2 derby win last Sunday, but will have to be wary of Martin O'Neill's wounded side

By Tom J Doyle

More On :  Manchester United, Sunderland, Manchester United vs Sunderland
Alex Ferguson
Getty
  PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United
De Gea
Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra
Scholes, Carrick, Cleverley
Welbeck, Van Persie, Young
SUNDERLAND
  Sunderland
Mignolet
Gardner, O'Shea, Cuellar, Rose
Johnson, Larsson, Colback, McClean
Sessegnon
Fletcher

Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic returns to the squad after two months out with a knee injury, although Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he is not sure whether the centre-back will start the game.

Jonny Evans, meanwhile, (hamstring) will miss out after being substituted against Manchester City last Sunday.

Nani and Anderson (both hamstring) are set to miss first-team action until the end of December, while this match may come too soon for Shinji Kagawa (knee), although the midfielder is due to return to first-team training on Monday.

Wayne Rooney (illness) could be rested by Sir Alex Ferguson with either Chicharito or Danny Welbeck taking his place in the team.

Antonio Valencia may also be given a break after making a surprise comeback for the Manchester City game after a spell on the sidelines following a hip injury.

Sunderland defender Wes Brown (knee) is out until the end of January, so will miss a return to his former club. Lee Cattermole (knee) has no set return date but will be a big miss for Martin O'Neill's men.

Danny Rose, Adam Johnson (both knocks) and Phil Bardsley (knee) were substituted in the midweek win over Reading, with the Scottish full-back expected to miss the next few weeks of action, although the left-sided pair could be fit for this game.


  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Manchester United have won 14 of their last 16 games at Old Trafford, losing just once.
  • United are undefeated against Sunderland in their last 17 meetings in all competitions.
  • Sunderland have just one win from their last 15 Premier League away games, losing seven and drawing seven.
  • The Black Cats have also failed to score in 14 of those 15 away matches.
  • Wayne Rooney scored his 150th Premier League goal during the 3-2 victory over Manchester City last Sunday.
  • United have only scored seven goals against Sunderland in their last three meetings - three of which were own goals by Black Cats players.
  • The Wearside club have conceded two fewer goals than United in the league this season, but trail them by 23 points after 16 games.

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Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Manchester United 3-1 Sunderland
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  • Manchester United 3-0 Sunderland
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  • Manchester United 4-1 Sunderland
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Head to Head
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 30 Mar 2013 Sunderland 0 - Manchester United 1
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 15 Dec 2012 Manchester United 3 - Sunderland 1
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 13 May 2012 Sunderland 0 - Manchester United 1
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 5 Nov 2011 Manchester United 1 - Sunderland 0
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 26 Dec 2010 Manchester United 2 - Sunderland 0
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Last Five Matches
Manchester United
19 May 2013West Bromwich Albion 5 - Manchester United 5EPL
12 May 2013Manchester United 2 - Swansea City 1EPL
5 May 2013Manchester United 0 - Chelsea FC 1EPL
28 Apr 2013Arsenal FC 1 - Manchester United 1EPL
22 Apr 2013Manchester United 3 - Aston Villa 0EPL
Sunderland
19 May 2013Tottenham 1 - Sunderland 0EPL
12 May 2013Sunderland 1 - Southampton 1EPL
6 May 2013Sunderland 1 - Stoke City 1EPL
29 Apr 2013Aston Villa 6 - Sunderland 1EPL
20 Apr 2013Sunderland 1 - Everton 0EPL
Odds
Returns: Man. United £12.00 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Returns: Draw £560.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Sunderland £3510.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Team News
Available Squads
1David de GeaGoalkeeper
3Patrice EvraDefender
4Phil JonesDefender
5Rio FerdinandDefender
12Chris SmallingDefender
7Antonio ValenciaMidfielder
16Michael CarrickMidfielder
18Ashley YoungMidfielder
23Tom CleverleyMidfielder
10Wayne RooneyStriker
20Robin van PersieStriker
13Anders LindegaardGoalkeeper
15Nemanja VidicDefender
11Ryan GiggsMidfielder
22Paul ScholesMidfielder
24Darren FletcherMidfielder
14ChicharitoStriker
19Danny WelbeckStriker
22Simon MignoletGoalkeeper
16John O'SheaDefender
19Titus BrambleDefender
24Carlos Javier CuéllarDefender
7Sebastian LarssonMidfielder
8Craig GardnerMidfielder
14Jack ColbackMidfielder
11Adam JohnsonMidfielder
23James McCleanMidfielder
28Stéphane SessegnonMidfielder
26Steven FletcherStriker
20Keiren WestwoodGoalkeeper
27Matthew Kilgallon Defender
15David VaughanMidfielder
25Fraizer CampbellStriker
10Connor WickhamStriker
16James McFaddenStriker
8Louis SahaStriker
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Man. United 		26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool 		23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham 		21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa 		19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City 		19 0