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Played
December 26, 2010 3:00 PM GMT
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee: P. Dowd
Attendance: 75269
December 26, 2010 3:00 PM GMT
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee: P. Dowd
Attendance: 75269
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| Man Utd. | 1.25 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 1.25 | 1.00 |
| Draw | 5.50 | 19.00 | 0.00 | 5.50 | 76.00 |
| Sunderland | 12.00 | 91.00 | 0.00 | 13.00 | 91.00 |
Premier League Preview: Manchester United - Sunderland
Michael Owen is back in contention, but Hargreaves, Scholes & Valencia remain sidelined...
By Adithya Ananth
Top Of The Table
United have done very well to surge forward to the top of the table owing to Chelsea’s poor form, and now have a two-point lead over second placed Arsenal with a game in hand.
This puts them in a very strong position ahead of this Boxing Day fixture, and confidence can be taken from the fact that they have been traditionally superb during this period.
Of their last 16 outings right after Christmas, the Red Devils have gone on to win 15 of them. Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges have also been at the top of the league at this stage on five previous occasions, and went on to win the Premier League in four of them.
If that is not enough, the Old Trafford outfit remain the only team in the top-flight who are yet to be beaten in the league, and have won their last three games on the domestic circuit.
And the recent victory over Arsenal would likely lift the spirits of even the most pessimistic of United fans, as they head into this home game against Steve Bruce’s side.
Bruce Looking For His Maiden Triumph Over Ferguson
The Sunderland manager was a previous Manchester United player – and captain - himself, and knows precisely how the mood will be in the opposite camp ahead of this game.
But his own players’ achievements are no less significant, as they are currently placed sixth in the standings. And having carved out a previous 3-0 victory over Chelsea, the Black Cats may fancy their chances against their opponents.
However, Bruce is yet to beat his former boss in the tactical field, as he has never bested Ferguson during his years as a manager. But he will know that it nearly happened last season, when the Wearsiders were leading 2-1 and looked like winning the game before an own goal from Anton Ferdinand during stoppage time meant that it ended all square.
But is has been four decades – 42 years, to be precise – since Sunderland managed to beat the Red Devils in their own backyard, which means that the current crop will go into the club’s history books if they manage to pull off what would seem an unlikely victory.
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
Michael Owen recently declared himself fit for the Christmas period, which comes as a boost to manager Sir Alex Ferguson. But the experienced forward is likely to remain a fringe player, as he remains well down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
Paul Scholes (groin) is not expected to return for another two weeks, while Antonio Valencia (ankle) and Owen Hargreaves (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Possible starting line-up: Van der Sar; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Nani; Berbatov, Rooney.
Sunderland
Lee Cattermole is suspended for this encounter after an accumulation of bookings. Danny Welbeck will also be unavailable, as he is on loan from United and is not allowed to take part in this game.
Michael Turner (knee), Titus Bramble (knee), Andy Reid (hamstring) and Fraiser Campbell (knee) are all unavailable through injury.
Possible starting line-up: Gordon; Onuoha, Mensah, Ferdinand, Bardsley; Henderson, Meyler, Malbranque, Richardson; Bent, Gyan.
United have done very well to surge forward to the top of the table owing to Chelsea’s poor form, and now have a two-point lead over second placed Arsenal with a game in hand.
This puts them in a very strong position ahead of this Boxing Day fixture, and confidence can be taken from the fact that they have been traditionally superb during this period.
Of their last 16 outings right after Christmas, the Red Devils have gone on to win 15 of them. Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges have also been at the top of the league at this stage on five previous occasions, and went on to win the Premier League in four of them.
If that is not enough, the Old Trafford outfit remain the only team in the top-flight who are yet to be beaten in the league, and have won their last three games on the domestic circuit.
And the recent victory over Arsenal would likely lift the spirits of even the most pessimistic of United fans, as they head into this home game against Steve Bruce’s side.
Bruce Looking For His Maiden Triumph Over Ferguson
The Sunderland manager was a previous Manchester United player – and captain - himself, and knows precisely how the mood will be in the opposite camp ahead of this game.
But his own players’ achievements are no less significant, as they are currently placed sixth in the standings. And having carved out a previous 3-0 victory over Chelsea, the Black Cats may fancy their chances against their opponents.
However, Bruce is yet to beat his former boss in the tactical field, as he has never bested Ferguson during his years as a manager. But he will know that it nearly happened last season, when the Wearsiders were leading 2-1 and looked like winning the game before an own goal from Anton Ferdinand during stoppage time meant that it ended all square.
But is has been four decades – 42 years, to be precise – since Sunderland managed to beat the Red Devils in their own backyard, which means that the current crop will go into the club’s history books if they manage to pull off what would seem an unlikely victory.
TEAM NEWS
Manchester United
Michael Owen recently declared himself fit for the Christmas period, which comes as a boost to manager Sir Alex Ferguson. But the experienced forward is likely to remain a fringe player, as he remains well down the pecking order at Old Trafford.Paul Scholes (groin) is not expected to return for another two weeks, while Antonio Valencia (ankle) and Owen Hargreaves (hamstring) remain sidelined.
Possible starting line-up: Van der Sar; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Nani; Berbatov, Rooney.
Sunderland
Lee Cattermole is suspended for this encounter after an accumulation of bookings. Danny Welbeck will also be unavailable, as he is on loan from United and is not allowed to take part in this game.Michael Turner (knee), Titus Bramble (knee), Andy Reid (hamstring) and Fraiser Campbell (knee) are all unavailable through injury.
Possible starting line-up: Gordon; Onuoha, Mensah, Ferdinand, Bardsley; Henderson, Meyler, Malbranque, Richardson; Bent, Gyan.
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
Man Utd. 2-0 Sunderland
- 23.06 %
-
Man Utd. 3-0 Sunderland
- 21.54 %
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Man Utd. 3-1 Sunderland
- 11.64 %
| England - Premier League (EPL) | Mar 30, 2013 | Sunderland 0 - Man Utd. 1 |
|
| England - Premier League (EPL) | Dec 15, 2012 | Man Utd. 3 - Sunderland 1 |
|
| England - Premier League (EPL) | May 13, 2012 | Sunderland 0 - Man Utd. 1 |
|
| England - Premier League (EPL) | Nov 5, 2011 | Man Utd. 1 - Sunderland 0 |
|
| England - Premier League (EPL) | Dec 26, 2010 | Man Utd. 2 - Sunderland 0 |
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Man Utd.
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||
| May 19, 2013 | West Bromwich Albion 5 - Man Utd. 5 | EPL |
| May 12, 2013 | Man Utd. 2 - Swansea 1 | EPL |
| May 5, 2013 | Man Utd. 0 - Chelsea FC 1 | EPL |
| Apr 28, 2013 | Arsenal 1 - Man Utd. 1 | EPL |
| Apr 22, 2013 | Man Utd. 3 - Aston Villa 0 | EPL |
Sunderland
 |
||
| May 19, 2013 | Tottenham 1 - Sunderland 0 | EPL |
| May 12, 2013 | Sunderland 1 - Southampton 1 | EPL |
| May 6, 2013 | Sunderland 1 - Stoke 1 | EPL |
| Apr 29, 2013 | Aston Villa 6 - Sunderland 1 | EPL |
| Apr 20, 2013 | Sunderland 1 - Everton 0 | EPL |
| Returns: | Man Utd. £12.50 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 | |
| Returns: | Draw £760.00 |
|
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! | |
| Returns: | Sunderland £910.00 |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
| 1 | Edwin van der Sar | Goalkeeper |
| - | Rafael Silva | Midfielder |
| 5 | Rio Ferdinand | Defender |
| 15 | Nemanja Vidic | Defender |
| 3 | Patrice Evra | Defender |
| 7 | Ji-Sung Park | Midfielder |
| 16 | Michael Carrick | Midfielder |
| 8 | Anderson | Midfielder |
| 11 | Ryan Giggs | Midfielder |
| 9 | Dimitar Berbatov | Striker |
| 10 | Wayne Rooney | Striker |
| 29 | Tomasz Kuszczak | Goalkeeper |
| 12 | Chris Smalling | Defender |
| 2 | Gary Neville | Defender |
| 33 | Bebe | Striker |
| 28 | Darron Gibson | Midfielder |
| 27 | Federico Macheda | Striker |
| 14 | Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez | Striker |
| 1 | Craig Gordon | Goalkeeper |
| 27 | Ahmed El Mohamady | Midfielder |
| 15 | Nedum Onuoha | Defender |
| 35 | Anton Ferdinand | Defender |
| 2 | Phil Bardsley | Defender |
| 15 | Steed Malbranque | Midfielder |
| 14 | Jordan Henderson | Midfielder |
| 16 | C. Riveros | Midfielder |
| 7 | Boudewijn Zenden | Midfielder |
| 9 | Darren Bent | Striker |
| 3 | Asamoah Gyan | Striker |
| 22 | Simon Mignolet | Goalkeeper |
| 14 | Paulo Da Silva | Defender |
| 34 | Blair Adams | Defender |
| 37 | Adam Reed | Midfielder |
| 18 | David Meyler | Midfielder |
| 26 | Jordan Cook | Midfielder |
| 14 | Marcos Angeleri | Defender |
| Wayne Rooney | |
| Position: | Striker |
| Squad Number: | 10 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 12 | 7 | 0 |
Wayne Rooney has been far from his best this term, having undergone problems on as well as off the pitch. But the festive period and the confident mood in the United camp could be just what the forward needs to revitalise a season that has been largely forgettable on a personal front.
| Asamoah Gyan | |
| Position: | Striker |
| Squad Number: | 3 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Asamoah Gyan had a very positive World Cup and has done well with the Black Cats this season, particularly during Darren Bent’s absence. The Ghana international has made several substitute appearances, but has made only five starts and scored as many goals in the league this term. His contribution could be vital if the Wearside outfit are to break their hoodoo at Old Trafford.
1 
0 
5 
15 
3 
7 
16 
8 
11 
9 
10 
1 
27 
15 
35 
2 
15 
14 
16 
7 
9 
3 With everything currently going United’s way, it is hard to envision anything other than a victory for Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges on Boxing Day.
Results
Times In BST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie Striker Man Utd. |
26 | 3 |
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Luis Suárez Striker Liverpool |
23 | 0 |
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Gareth Bale Midfielder Tottenham |
21 | 0 |
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C. Benteke Striker Aston Villa |
19 | 3 |
|
Michu Midfielder Swansea City |
19 | 0 |
