Manchester United vs Sunderland Predicted Lineups, Preview, Odds & Prediction

This is a fixture that has not taken place in the Premier League since 2017 – nearly eight years since the last game between Manchester United and Sunderland took place in the top flight. A lot has changed since they last met. Manchester United are now a laughing stock, with no European football and a Manager who is on the verge of being sacked. They have 2 wins, 3 losses and a draw through 6 league games this season, and are currently 14th. Amorim failed once again to follow up a win with another, so Manchester United have still not won consecutive league games during his tenure as Manager. Sunderland on the other hand are having their best period of success since they were last in the top flight. They spent a lot of money during the summer window, but that money was spent wisely and to actually give Sunderland a shot of staying up, and currently it looks like that will happen. Sunderland sit 5th – yes 5th, in the table after 6 games, with 3 wins, a loss and a draw, which is tremendous going through 6 games. Last years 3 promoted teams won 12 games total between them, so for Sunderland to have racked up 25% of that win total on their own after just 6 games played, shows the gap between them and the previous promoted sides. Can Sunderland deal United and Amorim one further blow, pushing him further toward the exit door, and continue this dream start, or will Manchester United’s talent advantage carry them to a win that calms the panic around the club for one more week?

• Is Amorim on the verge of being sacked?
• Can Manchester United actually put in a good performance and get the win against a team they should beat?
• Will Sunderland show that this start is no fluke by getting their 4th win of the season?

Find out all of that and much more in our preview of Manchester United vs Sunderland. We have a match preview, predicted lineups, team and injury news, live odds, our score prediction and more for this GW7 matchup.

Match Details:

Fixture: Manchester United vs Sunderland

Stadium: Old Trafford

Date: Saturday 4th October

Kick-off: 3:00pm BST

Premier League Head-to-Head Record:

The head-to-head between these two teams is a little irrelevant given the time Sunderland spent out of the Premier League. These are two entirely different teams from 2017, with the clubs in very different places, and a completely different set of coaches and players also. Manchester United, as you would expect, have dominated the overall record in the last 5 league meetings between these two teams, winning 4 and Sunderland winning once. But that history will matter very little this weekend with United struggling and the culture around the club being as toxic as it is, compared to Sunderland feeling like they’re in a great place and playing with confidence and positive momentum.

Manchester United Sunderland Last 5 Premier League Results

09/04/17 - Sunderland 0-3 Manchester United

26/12/16 - Manchester United 3-1 Sunderland

13/02/16 - Sunderland 2-1 Manchester United

26/09/15 - Manchester United 3-0 Sunderland

28/02/15 - Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland

Manchester United Overview and Form:

This Ruben Amorim Manchester United team are arguably the worst Manchester United team of our lifetimes, unless you are 70 years old and reading this. The Amorim era is falling apart at the seams and looks to be coming to an end soon. During his tenure as Man United manager they have been performing at a relegation level and are still yet to win consecutive league games. Even the 2 games United have won this season, over Burnley and Chelsea, have left the fan base disappointed and wanting more. They needed a 97th minute penalty to beat promoted Burnley, and even after a 9th minute Robert Sanchez red card gifted control of that game to Manchester United, they still managed to make difficult work of 10 man Chelsea. Last weekend’s 3-1 loss to relegation candidates Brentford further enforced that this United team are not improving and not going to contend for the European places this season. It also further enforced that a win for this team is just that, one result, and is not indicative of anything larger. The fans are checked out. Amorim’s system is easily picked apart by every coaching staff in the league, and if he loses this to another relegation candidate, he may lose his job before the day is over.

As an attacking unit Manchester United mostly rely on their talent advantage to generate chances and goals, and that just is not sustainable in 2025. Amorim’s system might generate a high volume of half chances but it does not generate high quality chances and so much of the chance creation comes through their wing-backs which is probably less than ideal. What displays this clearly is that United are 1st in the league in xG with 12.2 xG, but have only scored 7 goals in 6 games. Cunha returning to full fitness will of course help, and we are likely yet to see the Cunha, Mbeumo, Sesko trio operating at full capacity, but it is difficult to see how the attack improves outside of individual moments of brilliance.

Defensively Manchester United are a mess. Teams know exactly how to build up and create chances against Amorim’s out of possessions system in this 3-4-3 – Smith-Rowe and Iwobi said as much after the Fulham game. Amorim persists with Shaw at left centre-back which has been a disaster. The goalkeeper situation is a mess. Only having 2 midfielders in the starting lineup allows Manchester United to be consistently overrun in the centre of the pitch, and countered easily. The midfielders can’t cope with how much is required from them out of possession. It is truly a disaster that can only be solved by a combination of a system change and improved personnel. Manchester United have conceded the 2nd most xG in the league, only Burnley have conceded more xG so far this season. The Red Devils have conceded 11 goals through just 6 games, and while they have had a difficult fixture list so far, having played Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea already, it is difficult to see how the defence improves without wholesale change.

Against a promoted team, Man United should be looking to dominate possession and to control the proceedings, and walk away with a relatively comfortable win, especially at home. I can see United attempting to do that and to try to dominate but Sunderland are well coached and have better talent than the typical promoted side, and I could see them causing United issues on the counter and also being able to have spells of control themselves. Getting a win is never an easy task for this United team and it won’t be again on Saturday.

Sunderland Overview and Form:

Sunderland have had a tremendous start to life back in the top flight and Manager Regis Le Bris and the recruitment done during the summer deserve a ton of credit. Sunderland have already notched 3 wins this season with only 6 games played, and have only lost 1 game, surprisingly to Burnley of all teams. They sit 5th in the league right now on 11 points, and have already nearly guaranteed themselves survival; they do not have to continue at this rate to avoid relegation, they now really only need to average 1 point per game to do so comfortably. Sunderland are undefeated in their last 4 games, with 2 wins, and will absolutely go in to this game against Manchester United feeling confident they can walk away from Old Trafford with all 3 points.

From an attacking standpoint Sunderland have been average, but that is really all the coaches would have hoped for going in to this season; if they can be an average chance creation and goal scoring team, they will stay up. Simple as. The Black Cats have scored 7 goals in 6 games, so nothing crazy to write home about, but when their defence is performing so well, the attack just needs to be adequate for Sunderland to get something from most games. They are 16th in xG so that is something they will look to improve upon, but that is certainly nitpicking, and they are less than 1 xG behind 12th placed Forest in xG so their current ranking is nothing to panic about as of yet. Sunderland also have good attacking depth between Isiodor, Le Fee, Talbi, Adingra, Mayenda, and new signings from Ajax Brobbey and Traore, which is a huge advantage for them over a lot of bottom half teams.

Defensively is where Sunderland have really shined this season. They have only conceded 4 goals in 6 games – only Arsenal and Crystal Palace have conceded fewer. They have kept 3 clean sheets already, and all of this is backed up by the fact they’re 7th best for xG conceded this season, only 0.2 xG behind 4th placed Palace in that category. They look to be a very strong defensive team with good depth, particularly at full-back. This should carry them in good stead for the majority of the season.

Sunderland will likely not go in to this game looking to play as if they are the weaker team at risk of being blitzed if they look to be on the front foot. They should be able to have spells of control of the ball and to try to build attacks but will also be able to create some good opportunities in transition against this United midfield and defence, and I would not be surprise if they punish United in those moments. Sunderland are the form team in this matchup and should have plenty of confidence in continuing their dream start to life back in the Premier League by getting a win over Manchester United.

Match Betting Odds:

Manchester United: 4/9

Draw: 7/2

Sunderland: 5/1 (Great value and favourite bet) 

Both Teams to Score Odds: 

Yes: 4/5

No: 20/21

Player to Score Odds:

 Sesko: 1/1

Mbeumo: 7/5

Betrino is currently offering over 10% better value on Sunderland to win compared with the average market line at most major sports books!

Lineups will be updated throughout the week in live time as and when injury and lineup news is announced.

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Manchester United Predicted Lineup:

Manchester United Predicted Lineups GW7

GK - Bayindir

RWB - Amad

CB - De Ligt

CB - Maguire

CB - Yoro

LWB - Dorgu

CM - Casemiro

CM - Fernandes

RAM - Mbeumo

LAM - Cunha

ST - Sesko

Manchester United Team News:

There was essentially no team news from Amorim on Friday. Amad is available it seems.

Ruben Amorim revealed last Friday that Amad Diallo was not in the squad for Brentord because “Amad is not here, someone in his family passed away so we are giving all the support to Amad. We understood it was important to him to have his time and to return home”. Amad will likely return to training this week and should be in the squad to face Sunderland, but it is difficult to know how such a young person might deal with a family death, and so there is a possibility Amad may need more time before he is ready to start.

Amorim revealed Mazraoui is out until after the international break with an undisclosed injury/issue. All Amorim said on the matter was “He is out also. He will not be back until the international break”.

Casemiro returns from his 1 match suspension and should immediately re take his spot in the starting XI alongside Fernandes. Ugarte drops to the bench.

Cunha started his first game since returning from injury last weekend against Brentford and made it through the game fine. He will start on Saturday against Sunderland alongside Mbeumo and Sesko.

Bayindir had a poor game against Brentford, but it seems like Amorim is sticking with him for now.

Yoro has to come in for Shaw. He is much better defensively and also good on the ball – I simply do not see what Amorim is seeing in Shaw to continue starting him. This experiment has to end. Maguire and De Ligt should be locks to start, although both are better suited to the central CB role rather than the wide RCB role.

Manchester United Players to Watch:

Amad: Likely to return to training and to the squad this week. Would start at RWB if he is ready to play.

Mazraoui: Out until after the international break.

Yoro: Has to replace Shaw as the left centre-back. Just the far more talented and athletic player.

Shaw: Has to become a backup. Cannot continue starting.

Casemiro: Returns from his 1 match suspension. Will start alongside Bruno.

Sunderland Predicted Lineup:

Sunderland Predicted Lineup GW7

GK - Roefs

RB - Hume

CB - Mukiele

CB - Alderete

LB - Masuaku

CM - Xhaka

CM - Sadiki

AM - Rigg

RW - Talbi

LW - Le Fee

ST - Isidor

Sunderland Team News:

Reinildo remains suspended – he has 2 more games to serve before he can return to the matchday squad.

Nordi Mukiele has locked down the right centre-back spot since joining from PSG. He is an every week starter and great value in FPL at £4.0m.

Chris Rigg has become Le Bris preferred midfield partner for Xhaka and Sadiki while Diarra is out injured until December. Rigg has played in a flat 3 alongside Xhaka and Sadiki, but also as the 10 ahead of them since entering the starting lineup, which shows he’s versatile and why he is a locked in starter while Diarra is injured.

Le Fee has made that left-wing/left-forward role his own for now, despite their being a lot of competition from new signings Brobbey and Traore from Ajax, as well as the talented youngster Adingra from Brighton. His work rate out of possession and his pressing is likely what is keeping him in the starting lineup over those more traditional wingers.

Isiodor is Sunderland’s star man with 3 goals already this season including 2 in his last 3 games. Mayenda is the backup.

Sunderland Players to Watch:

Mukiele: Joined from PSG late in the window, but looks to be a locked in starter. £4.om in FPL.

Aldrete: Scored last weekend. Likely continues to start over Ballard.

Rigg: Seems to be the preferred player in midfield while Diarra is out until December.

Le Fee: Is the preferred left-winger right now over new signings Adingra, Brobbey or Traore.

Isiodor: The in-form man. Every week starter while fit. Mayenda is the backup.

Geertruida: New full-back signing. Made cameo’s in the last 2 games, potentially replaces Masuaku at left-back while Reinildo is suspended.

Reinildo: Suspended for 2 more games.

Manchester vs Sunderland Preview & Predicted Score:

United will of course set up in Amorim’s 3-4-3. Sunderland will likely set up with a 4-3-3 as they did against Palace who also employ their own version of a 3 at the back system.

Amorim will likely look to have his team control possession and the tempo of the game, and to build steady attacks and pen Sunderland back, especially being at home, but United never really successfully do that for full games or even halves. If United can get the first goal, that will be big for them as they can likely defend a bit deeper and protect the midfield and centre-backs from transitions and defending in space as much.

Sunderland will likely look to play their game, get on the ball and attempt to build attacks and create chances against a team they won’t feel inferior to. They will also not fear United’s attack when they do come under pressure – these are likely opportunities to hurt Man United’s defence in transition and they have the talent in the forward line to do so. Isiodor is in great form and I do see Sunderland getting goals in this one.

This is a difficult one to predict, but I can see United’s attacking talent being able to create and score against a well coached but not supremely talented Sunderland defence. On the flip side it is very easy to see the ways Sunderland can hurt Manchester United, and Sunderland are the form team that will come in to this game more confident and under much less pressure. I think Sunderland get a point at Old Trafford in an entertaining game for the neutral but likely still a very frustrating one for Manchester United fans.

Score Prediction: Manchester United 2-2 Sunderland