Sunderland vs Manchester United Predictions

• Sunderland have lost four of their last five home fixtures
• The Black Cats are the fourth-lowest scorers in the Premier League this season
• Manchester United have won 10 of their 14 matches since Michael Carrick’s return as head coach

United continue to excel under Carrick

Manchester United’s revival under Michael Carrick was further enhanced by last weekend’s victory over bitter rivals Liverpool, a result that guaranteed the club’s return to the Champions League next season.

That 3-2 success at Old Trafford also made it three wins on the bounce for United and 10 victories in 14 since Carrick returned to the club in January, form that makes a more permanent stay for the 44-year-old seem increasingly likely.

Another win on Saturday would certainly help those claims and United’s record against Sunderland is impressive, as they have won three on the bounce and five of the last six meetings between the two sides, including a 2-0 success in October’s reverse meeting at Old Trafford.

Wheels coming off slightly for Black Cats

Sunderland have enjoyed a successful return to the Premier League, comfortably surviving in the division and still maintaining hopes, albeit fading ones, of qualifying for Europe.

Regis Le Bris has built much of the Black Cats’ success on a strong home record, but that has deserted them over recent weeks, as they have lost four of their last five at the Stadium of Light, most recently going down 5-0 to Nottingham Forest.

Scoring goals has also been an issue, as only Crystal Palace and relegated pair Burnley and Wolves have netted fewer than Sunderland’s total of 37, which includes firing blanks in recent home defeats to Liverpool Brighton and the aforementioned Forest.

Sesko key to United success

United can take a giant step towards securing third place with a win on Wearside and given they have only lost on one of their 15 previous top-flight visits to the Stadium of Light, that looks likely.

Carrick’s side appear capable of replicating the 2-0 victory they achieved when the teams met earlier in the season and the man that scored the second goal that day, Benjamin Sesko, could well get on the scoresheet once more.

Sesko’s goal in the home win over Sunderland was one of only two he struck for United before the turn of the year, but he has since found the back of the net a further nine times, seven of which have come under Carrick.

The Slovenian has scored in back-to-back games against Brentford and Liverpool, and he can continue his fine end to the season by having a decisive say on his first visit to the Stadium of Light.