Manchester United will face a challenging away match this afternoon when they travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland. The Red Devils, under the guidance of Michael Carrick, have already secured their place in next season’s Champions League after a recent victory over Liverpool. Currently sitting in third place, they are six points ahead of their rivals, but the gap between finishing third and fifth is significant, with millions of pounds at stake.
Carrick is determined to finish the season strongly, as a solid performance could help him secure the managerial position permanently. One key player returning from suspension is Lisandro Martinez, who served a three-match ban. However, he may find it difficult to reclaim his spot in the starting lineup, as Ayden Heaven has impressed in his absence.
Matthijs de Ligt remains the only confirmed injury absentee, with no clear timeline for his return from a back injury that has kept him out since November. Meanwhile, Benjamin Sesko was substituted at half-time during the match against Liverpool after suffering a shin injury. The incident occurred when he was pushed down the Old Trafford dip and into the advertising boards by Ibrahima Konate.
Carrick mentioned after the game that Sesko had already been dealing with a shin injury, which was aggravated by the impact. Although the manager did not provide an update on the striker during his press conference on Friday, injury experts believe the issue is unlikely to be serious.
Man Utd XI to face Sunderland – Prediction
With Champions League qualification secured, Carrick has indicated that he will give more playing time to players who have been on the fringes of the first team since he took charge. One such player hoping for a run-out is Patrick Dorgu. Manchester United may look to sign a new left winger this summer, and Dorgu has shown promise in his last two starts in that role, scoring twice.
A hamstring injury limited his progress under Carrick, but he could have the chance to make an impression in the final weeks of the season. Amad Diallo, who has struggled recently, is expected to receive a hero’s welcome in Sunderland after his impressive loan spell with the Black Cats during the 2022-23 season.
Live Stream, TV Channel and Kick-off Time
The match between Sunderland and Manchester United is scheduled to kick off at 3pm today (Saturday, 9 May). Unfortunately, due to the timing, the game will not be available for live viewing in the UK. However, fans can follow all the action through 
’s LIVE matchday blog.
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