Match Preview
Gus Poyet is wary of a positive reaction
from Manchester United after their
defeat at Swansea City when
Sunderland visit Old Trafford in the
Barclays Premier League on Saturday.
United suffered a 2-1 loss at the
Liberty Stadium last weekend, allowing
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur to
move within striking distance of a top
four spot.
The Red Devils will be looking to atone
for their home defeat to Poyet’s
Sunderland last season, when Sebastian
Larsson's strike secured a 1-0 triumph
that contributed to the Wearsiders'
remarkable end-of-season surge that secured their safety.
While Louis van Gaal's side have won one
of their last six away matches, the Dutchman continues to get positive results at home.
United have won 10 of their 13 Barclays Premier League matches at Old Trafford this season.
But Poyet pinpointed United’s recent
win over Burnley, which was criticised
by Van Gaal, as cause for optimism.
"Van Gaal was not happy about Burnley game but they scored three goals, but Burnley had plenty of chances," Poyet told www.safc.com . "We need to look at that game as a good
opportunity to play a certain way, be calm, and manage the game in certain way that it will suit our result.
"It is going to be tough, they have to come back [after the Swansea loss], they know us because of what happened last year. "We need to be spot on, especially in defence. We need to concentrate in what we do.
" Form is not on Sunderland's side, though, after just one win in their last nine, but Anthony Reveilliere hopes they can take confidence from Swansea's win. "We know that it's a challenge that is never easy there," he told The Shields Gazette.
"But at the same time, they've had a few difficulties this year and lost at Swansea last weekend.
"It's still Manchester United, and they've brought in a lot of players this season. "But we'll be ready for it and we've done well away from home this season.
" Emanuele Giaccherini looks likely to miss the rest of the season after undergoing further ankle surgery this week, while there are doubts over Billy Jones (ankle), Jack Rodwell (calf) and Will Buckley (knee).
United's injury list has one major addition to it after Saturday's defeat in Wales, Robin van Persie left the Liberty Stadium on crutches and could spend the next month out of action.
Michael Carrick has also been on the sidelines with a calf injury, while youngster James Wilson suffered a hip problem during a Barclays Under-21 Premier League match earlier this week.
Match Facts
Robin van Persie has scored six goals in
five BPL starts at home to Sunderland
for Manchester United and Arsenal.
Sunderland are the only team in the BPL
not to score a goal in the 15 minutes
directly after half–time.
United have won 10 and lost one of 13 Barclays Premier League home matches against Sunderland (D2).
The Black Cats have drawn more matches (13) than any team in BPL history after 26 match days.
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