Manchester United are flying, with a six-point lead and bolstered by the return of Sir Alex Ferguson's "warrior" leader and central defender, Nemanja Vidic, for the visit of Martin O'Neill's team. Sunderland now stand 15th following a much needed win over Reading in mid-week, as they face a United team still smarting at how the Sunderland fans delighted in Manchester City's late title win on the final day of last season, after United had triumphed at the Stadium of Light. If United get an early goal, they may fancy a rout. Jamie Jackson
Venue Old Trafford, Saturday 3pm
Tickets From £30-52 (0161 868 8000)
Last season Man Utd 1 Sunderland 0
Referee Chris Foy
This season's matches 11 Y20, R0, 1.82 cards per game
Odds Man Utd 1-5 Sunderland 12-1 Draw 11-2
Manchester United v Sunderland: Probable starters in bold, contenders in light. Photograph: Graphic Manchester United
Subs from Lindegaard, Johnstone, Buttner, Powell, Macheda, Bébé, Jones, Henríquez, Hernández, Smalling, Fletcher, Cleverley
Doubtful Rooney (illness)
Injured Kagawa (knee, 29 Dec), Nani (hamstring, Jan), Anderson (hamstring, Jan)
Suspended None
Form guide WWWWLW
Disciplinary record Y26 R0
Leading scorer Van Persie 11
Sunderland
Subs from Westwood, Bramble, Kilgallon, Vaughan, Campbell, McFadden, Wickham, Saha, Ji
Doubtful Rose (ankle), Cuéllar (knock), Johnson (dead leg), Fletcher (ankle)
Injured Cattermole (knee, Feb), Brown (knee, Feb), Bardsley (knee, unknown)
Suspended None
Form guide WLLDLW
Disciplinary record Y26 R0
Leading scorer Fletcher 7
Match pointers
• Robin van Persie has scored seven goals in nine appearances against Sunderland
• Only Arsène Wenger and Gerard Houllier have more Premier League wins at Old Trafford than Martin O'Neill, and he is the only manager ever to win there with two different teams
• In the previous six Premier League meetings between these two sides, Manchester United have scored only seven goals and three have been own goals by Sunderland
• Sunderland have failed to score in nine of their last 11 league games against United
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