EPL Match Preview: Manchester United v/s Sunderland

Manchester United might have fallen to an undeserved loss last weekend to Swansea City, but its a brand new day as the Red Devils look to take on the Black Cats, in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday.

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has suggested that Louis Van Gaal will be full of optimism ahead of this clash, as he will look to overturn the defeat last weekend, to a victory this time around. Manchester United had the majority of possession on the ball against Swansea, but they still fell to two well worked counter-attacking goals that eventually cost them the match.

But United will look to put all of that aside, as they look to put on a great performance in front of their home fans. 

United have won 10 out of 13 Premier League games at Old Trafford, and they will be looking to add to their fine form at home against Sunderland. United face Arsenal in the quarter finals of the FA Cup next weekend and a victory tomorrow will surely boost their morale when they face the Gunners. 

Sunderland have found themselves in yet another relegation battle this season. Although they are out of the relegation zone lying on 16th in the table with 25 points, they are just three points above QPR, Burnley and Aston Villa who each have 22 points. Hence a win against Manchester United on Saturday will do great to their chances of survival. 

It was a resurgent Sunderland side, led by Gus Poyet that beat Manchester United to a scoreline of 1-0 in the corresponding fixture last season, as they went on a run of victories to beat all their closest rivals in the relegation battle for survival in the Premier League last season.

Gus Poyet has called his players to be spot on in defense and has also pointed out that United have brought in some world class players in the summer that they need to be wary of, and that these players will be looking to attack from the get-go.

There's bad news for Manchester United fans, as Robin Van Persie will miss Saturday's clash due to ankle injury. But Radamel Falcao and James Wilson are more than adequate replacements who will look to make the most of their oppurtunity. 

A victory for Manchester United will put them ahead of Arsenal on 3rd in the Premier League table, who play their game against Everton on Sunday. A victory for Sunderland on the other hand, will do great for their hopes of survival.