It’s not often you get a must-win match seven games into a season, but that’s the situation Ruben Amorim and Manchester United find themselves in. After losing to Brentford, the pressure has ramped up once more, with United having already lost three matches this term.
Sunderland are the visitors to Old Trafford on Saturday, with what marks the pair’s first Premier League meeting since the 2016/17 season. Ex-United boss David Moyes was the manager of Sunderland back then, with the incumbent Red Devils chief keen to avoid falling down the same path as his predecessor by getting the sack. Ahead of Saturday’s match, Express Sport predicts how we think Manchester United will line up…
Goalkeeper: Bayindir
Senne Lammens must be thinking what he’s got to do to get a go in the side. Having arrived in the summer transfer window, the Belgian youngster hasn’t had a sniff so far, but it doesn’t look as if Amorim is willing to roll the dice just yet. As such, Altay Bayindir looks the most likely to retain his spot between the sticks.
Defence: Shaw, Maguire, De Ligt
There’s more chance of United winning the Premier League title this season than Amorim ditching his three-at-the-back set-up, meaning it will once again be on show this weekend. Luke Shaw as the left centre-back, has worked to decent effect, with Matthijs de Ligt operating off the right-hand side. Leny Yoro or Harry Maguire is the other decision Amorim will need to make, with the latter most likely to get the nod.
Midfield: Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu
Again, it’s unlikely there’ll be any stylistic changes from Amorim, meaning a double pivot of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro is expected to be rolled out. Patrick Dorgu has been a relative bright spark for the 20-time champions on the left flank, while Amad continues to operate as the first-choice right-wing back on the opposite side.
Attack: Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha
The one area of the pitch where Amorim can’t have any complaints about players not suiting the system is in attack. All three of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha were brought in this summer, with around £200million spent on their signatures. Sesko did get off the mark against Brentford at the weekend, but it’s time for the trio to start performing, otherwise, Amorim will have more questions to answer once again.
Full predicted Man Utd XI vs Sunderland: Bayindir; Shaw, Maguire, De Ligt; Dorgu, Fernandes, Casemiro, Amad; Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha
