Who would have thought that going into the 7th week of the season, Manchester United would lie a distant 12th? Eight points behind Leaders, Arsenal-another huge shock. Even Hull City is placed ahead of the defending champions of the EPL and it is a worrying sight for the fans. Unbelievable development.
Going into this evening’s game at the Stadium of Light, David Moyes is looking for redemption as his boys have let him down in no small measure. Three defeats from six games represents Manchester United’s worst League start in about two and a half decades. Life after Ferguson has been tortuous. Anything short of victory today will raise more questions about the choice of David Moyes.
Before the trip to the Etihad, stats came out that Moyes has a very good record over there WITH EVERTON. Well, we all know how it turned out afterwards. Another of such information has surfaced again that Moyes has lost just one of sixteen matches vs the Black Cats.
Then again, that was with the blue half of Merseyside. His new job hasn’t gone as planned and a 1-1 draw at the Dombass Arena was seen as a very good result by a lot of people. That is not and will never be the Manchester United way.
The last time the red devils suffered three straight defeats in the League was twelve years ago and the last time the team had seven points after the first six games, they went on to finish the season in 13th position and that was before Ryan Giggs made his debut.
The Manchester outfit are sweating over the fitness of Wayne Rooney who picked up his 4th injury this season prior to the European fixture in midweek. A knock to his shin meant he was unavailable for selection in Ukraine. He should be fit to run out at the Stadium of Light.
That might mean Danny Welbeck dropping out of the starting eleven, except he will be deployed to the wings in a 4-3-3 set-up. Robin Van Persie is expected to start his first premier League game since the Palace win and he has a good record, haven never lost to the team from Wearside in League play.
Caretaker Kevin Ball could do with a victory to further stake a claim to the permanent position at the club he has served for the better part of his football life. If Steve Clarke and West Brom could break a 35 year hoodoo last weekend, Sunderland can follow a similar path and there’s no better time to do it.
Striker Fabio Borini is fit and eligible after sitting out last Sunday’s loss to his parent club, Liverpool. Steven Fletcher is close to returning for the Black Cats but this match comes too soon.
Sunderland were unlucky to be the hosts for the return of the Gunslinger last time out. Luis Suarez struck a brace to condemn the Wearsiders to yet another defeat. The 10 game ban did little to derail the Uruguayan and he continued from where he left off last season. Liverpool fans will hope he has truly repented of his many sins and turned a new leaf.
For David Moyes, he knows there’s no margin for error yet again. Another defeat will send more than a million tongues wagging. As Ryan Giggs said a few days ago, things have to be put right.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
SUNDERLAND: Westwood, Gardner, O’Shea, Cuellar, Colback, Larsson, Ki, Cattermole, Giaccherini, Johnson, ALTIDORE.
MANCHESTER UNITED: DDG, Rafa, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Carrick, Fellaini, Kagawa/Nani, Valencia, Roo/Welbeck, RVP.
Wayne Rooney is still a doubt for this encounter and Shinji Kagawa hasn’t proved himself worthy of a consistent run in the side after some lackluster performances. The introduction of Adnan Januzaj for the Japanese playmaker last weekend should serve as a wake-up call. Luis Nani did himself no harm with his good performance which ultimately counted for nothing. Nonetheless, he should get a run out today-either as a starter or a sub.
Former MUFC player, John O’Shea faces the club he served for ten years today. Another former red, Wes Brown misses out through injury. Something that has sadly been synonymous with his very promising career.
Ties and relationships will be put to one side, at least for 90 minutes.
Written by Ohiskaka Eboreime
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