Manchester United played out a goalless Premier League draw against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The Red Devils went into the game with a three-match winning run, but struggled to impose themselves against the Black Cats.

The Wearside outfit dominated proceedings but could not find the breakthrough. Senne Lammens made two exceptional saves.

Matheus Cunha had a glorious chance to win it for United at the death, but the Brazilian smashed his effort straight at the goalkeeper.

There were several underperformers yesterday, and we were particularly unimpressed with Joshua Zirkzee, who got the nod to lead the line.

The Netherlands international has been a backup striker this campaign, but got a surprise start yesterday with Benjamin Sesko injured, while Bryan Mbeumo started on the bench.

The former Bologna man failed to capitalise on the big opportunity. He lost seven duels out of 11 contested and was guilty of losing possession on nine occasions in just 65 minutes.

Zirkzee managed only 11 passes in the game and slashed one shot off target. The £36.5 million signing failed to justify his selection. He does not appear suited for English football.

The 24-year-old was heavily linked with a return to Serie A with Roma last winter. Juventus have recently joined the pursuit, with contact established through his agent, Kia Joorabchian.

We won’t be surprised if he is one of the first players to be shown the exit door this summer.

Alongside Zirkzee, Mason Mount had an average outing as a central midfielder. His future could likewise become a topic of discussion during the upcoming summer transfer window.

Mount has barely made an impact since arriving from Chelsea three years ago. With another two years left on his contract, the club could contemplate cutting their losses on him.

Stats from Sofascore

Article written by Sri Aswin .

Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick has provided an injury update on midfielder Casemiro following the goalless Premier League draw against Sunderland.

The Red Devils went into the game after three successive wins, but could not extend the streak. The Black Cats were the better side at the Stadium of Light until the closing stages.

Matheus Cunha had a couple of quality chances to score at the end, but a draw was a fair result.

One of the big talking points from the game was the surprise absence of Casemiro. The Brazilian has been phenomenal for United since confirming his summer exit.

Casemiro’s unavailability in the matchday squad was unexpected. When asked about it, Carrick said prior to kick-off: “Case, he’ll be fine for next week, it’s nothing major.”

Alongside Casemiro, Sesko was ruled out for the Wearside trip with a shin injury picked up against Liverpool. Manuel Ugarte was likewise absent with a back problem.

United currently have 65 points after 36 league matches this term. They are six points ahead of fourth-placed Liverpool and seven in front of Aston Villa, who have a game in hand.

The Red Devils are on the cusp of securing a third-place finish, but Carrick will want more from his side. The onus should be on achieving the 70-point mark by winning the final two matches.

Casemiro was a notable miss in the heart of the midfield today, but he should be back against Nottingham Forest next weekend, which would be his final home game for the Red Devils.

He will have one more fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on the road before calling time on his United career. The decision has been made to depart upon the expiry of his contract on June 30.

The club’s faithful would ideally like the hierarchy to reverse their decision and convince Casemiro to stay for another year, but that is no longer a possibility with plans in place for a marquee successor.

Stats from Transfermarkt

Article written by Sri Aswin .

Manchester United and Sunderland played out a frustrating and lifeless 0-0 draw in the Premier League at the Stadium of Light today.

United head coach Michael Carrick decided to make five changes to the side that produced a thrilling 3-2 victory over Liverpool last weekend.

Sunderland were comfortably the stronger side for large parts of the contest and repeatedly came close to finding the breakthrough.

However, Senne Lammens once again came to United’s rescue with a series of crucial saves to keep the hosts at bay.

The Black Cats even rattled the crossbar during a dominant spell but could not find the decisive goal their performance deserved.

The result will not significantly damage United given that their return to the UEFA Champions League has already been secured.

However, flat and uninspiring displays like this could still raise fresh doubts within INEOS over whether Carrick is truly the right long-term appointment.

Player Ratings

Senne Lammens – 8/10

The Belgian goalkeeper once again proved why he is becoming indispensable at Old Trafford.

He produced a massive one-vs-one save to deny Noah Sadiki before pulling off an even more impressive stop to frustrate Brian Brobbey.

Noussair Mazraoui – 4/10

Mazraoui looked visibly rusty throughout the contest and failed to provide his usual composure both in possession and defensively.

Harry Maguire – 6/10

The United defender was involved in a relentless physical battle with Brobbey, winning some key duels while also coming out second-best on several occasions.

Lisandro Martinez – 5/10

Sunderland deliberately targeted Martinez physically and the Argentine struggled to cope with the intensity of the duels. His performance did little to justify Carrick’s decision to drop Ayden Heaven.

Luke Shaw – 6/10

Shaw delivered another dependable display.

Kobbie Mainoo – 6/10

Mainoo was handed huge defensive responsibility in midfield and frequently found himself overwhelmed as Sunderland overloaded central areas.

Mason Mount – 5/10

Frustrating outing for former Chelsea star who played as a number eight due to injuries to Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte.

Bruno Fernandes – 6/10

United lacked creativity for large parts of the game and Fernandes endured an unusually quiet afternoon by his high standards.

Amad Diallo – 4/10

Diallo wasted a huge attacking opportunity after ignoring runs from Cunha and Zirkzee before playing a dreadful pass that killed the move entirely.

It was another disappointing display despite Carrick’s strong public backing.

Joshua Zirkzee – 4/10

Zirkzee endured a difficult evening from start to finish.

He headed a good chance over the bar, squandered a dangerous 4v3 counter-attack by failing to play a simple cut-back pass and struggled badly with his hold-up play.

Matheus Cunha – 5/10

The Brazilian produced a dangerous cross for Zirkzee in the first half, but his decision-making let him down late on when he passed instead of taking responsibility with a shot in stoppage time.

Substitutions

Patrick Dorgu – 6/10

Created a late chance for Cunha.

Bryan Mbeumo – 5/10

Made no impact.

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has unveiled his starting XI for today’s Premier League clash against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

The Red Devils arrive full of confidence after sealing qualification for the UEFA Champions League with a statement victory over Liverpool last weekend.

With three matches still left to play, Carrick will now be determined to push United towards an impressive third-place finish in the league table.

The 44-year-old has decided to make five changes to the side that defeated Liverpool.

Despite making his first mistake in a United shirt against the Merseyside club, Senne Lammens continues as the undisputed number one between the sticks.

Diogo Dalot makes way for Noussair Mazraoui, who has not played as frequently as he would have hoped this season.

Luke Shaw retains his starting position at left-back.

Carrick has made a big change in central defence, replacing Ayden Heaven with Lisandro Martinez.

Martinez is back after serving his three-game suspension and will partner Harry Maguire.

There is also a huge surprise in midfield, with Casemiro completely absent from the matchday squad, potentially because of a late injury setback.

Kobbie Mainoo is expected to line up alongside Mason Mount in midfield, handing the former Chelsea star a massive opportunity to impress in a deeper number eight role.

Bruno Fernandes will once again operate in his favoured position behind the striker.

Joshua Zirkzee has also been handed a rare opportunity to lead the line following the injury suffered by Benjamin Sesko.

In another surprise decision, Bryan Mbeumo has been dropped to the bench, with Carrick placing his trust in Matheus Cunha and Amad Diallo on the flanks.

Highly-rated academy talents Jack Fletcher and Tyler Fletcher have also been named among the substitutes.

Confirmed Man United line-up (4-2-3-1): Senne Lammens; Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw; Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount; Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo, Matheus Cunha, Joshua Zirkzee

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .

Manchester United have opened discussions with the entourage of AC Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Calciomercato.

The Red Devils are likely to make multiple additions to the squad this summer. A centre-back does not appear on their wishlist, but United continue to be linked with players.

Calciomercato now claim that United have established contact with Pavlovic’s camp. They are ready to offer a significant salary to persuade the Serbian star to leave Milan.

However, the Red Devils are not alone in the player’s pursuit. Several Saudi Pro League clubs, as well as Chelsea, seem interested in signing the 24-year-old central defender.

Milan could be open to a summer sale even if they qualify for the Champions League. The Rossoneri are poised to hold out for at least £43 million to part ways with Pavlovic.

United may not pursue another centre-back

The Red Devils are set to prioritise midfield recruits this summer. Casemiro will depart on a free transfer when his contract concludes at the end of the Premier League season.

Manuel Ugarte could be shown the exit door, too. The Uruguayan has played second fiddle to Casemiro this term. The club could cut their losses on him in the next transfer window.

Alongside a couple of midfielders, United could target a new left-back to compete with Luke Shaw, given Patrick Dorgu is defensively vulnerable and more comfortable as a winger.

A new striker could also be targeted, with Joshua Zirkzee poised to leave. In our view, a new central defender may not be an area of focus for the Mancunian heavyweights.

United have had Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez missing several games this term due to injuries. The former has not featured for the Red Devils since a back concern in November.

However, De Ligt has made good progress in his recovery. The Dutchman has been handled with extra caution, and he could be fully fit ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Alongside him, United have Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro for the right centre-back slot.

Pavlovic is a left-footed centre-back, but the Red Devils are well-equipped in the position too. In Ayden Heaven, they have a top-class deputy for Martinez for the left centre-back role.

Pavlovic is a player with good attributes. He has completed 91 percent of his passes in Serie A, winning five duels and two tackles per outing. He has averaged three recoveries and four clearances.

At 194cm, he has a dominating aerial and physical presence at the back. Still, we don’t see United making a move for him with the five quality central defenders in the first-team squad.

He could still end up in the Premier League next season with Chelsea or another club.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .

Manchester United travel to the Stadium of Light for today’s Premier League clash against Sunderland.

The Red Devils have already qualified for the Champions League after a 3-2 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford last weekend.

They are currently on 64 points from 35 matches, and interim manager Michael Carrick will want to end the season on a high.

Carrick has put himself in a good position to secure the permanent managerial role and will surely be eyeing the 70-point mark.

We anticipate at least two changes to the starting line-up against the Black Cats.

Lisandro Martinez returns

The United backline could witness one major change with Lisandro Martinez’s return. The Argentine was ruled out for the last three games after his unfortunate sending off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair.

The 28-year-old has served his suspension and should be reinstated in the left centre-back position ahead of Ayden Heaven. Martinez needs minutes under his belt before the World Cup defence with Argentina.

Amad Diallo starts

Amad Diallo came on as a half-time substitute for the injured Benjamin Sesko last weekend. He made an instant error, contributing to Liverpool’s first goal. Despite this, Carrick has spoken fondly about the talented winger.

Sesko has not trained with a shin injury and may not be involved in the matchday squad this afternoon. That could mean Bryan Mbeumo could lead the line. Amad could slot in his preferred right-wing position for United.

The £37 million signing has not scored or assisted for the Red Devils since December last year. He previously played at Sunderland on loan and will be desperate to make a goal contribution in familiar surroundings.

Predicted Man Utd line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Sunderland: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.

Stats from Transfermarkt

Article written by Sri Aswin .

Manchester United and Sunderland will battle at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League later today.

The Black Cats spent several painful years away from the glamour and intensity of the English top flight, but their relentless fight eventually earned them a hard-fought return this season.

There is always drama when these two proud and historic clubs meet on the pitch.

Here we look at the four most thrilling contests between United and Sunderland.

Man United 5-0 Sunderland, December 1996

This was football from the golden Alex Ferguson era at its devastating best.

United ripped Sunderland apart with a breathtaking attacking display in a classic 4-4-2 setup.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Eric Cantona bagged a brace each, with Nicky Butt also adding his name on the scoresheet.

Cantona danced past three Sunderland players before exchanging a slick one-two and delicately chipping the ball over the goalkeeper.

The strike crashed against the underside of the crossbar before bouncing over the line in dramatic fashion.

What followed became one of the most iconic celebrations in Premier League history.

Cantona slowly turned in a full 360-degree circle with his collar raised before spreading his arms to absorb the deafening applause from Old Trafford.

Sunderland 1-2 Man United, October 2013

This clash is remembered as the night Adnan Januzaj announced himself to the football world.

United looked vulnerable after falling behind early at the Stadium of Light.

The Belgian wonderkid completely transformed the game with two sensational second-half goals on his first Premier League start.

Many fans and pundits even compared him to Cristiano Ronaldo because of his flair.

For a brief period, Old Trafford genuinely believed they had discovered their next global superstar.

Sadly, Januzaj never managed to fulfil that enormous potential.

Man United 0-1 Sunderland, May 2014

Sebastian Larsson scored the only goal of the game to register Sunderland’s first victory at Old Trafford in over 46 years.

Club legend Ryan Giggs had recently taken charge on an interim basis, but his promising start came crashing to a halt.

For the Black Cats, the victory proved absolutely massive in their dramatic fight for survival.

Sunderland 0-1 Man United, May 2012

This remains the most emotionally unforgettable clash between the two clubs.

The Red Devils won the game but lost the Premier League title in the final few seconds.

The famous “Aguerooooo” moment instantly shattered United hearts inside the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland supporters brutally mocked the devastated United players as news spread around the stadium.

The contrast between joy and heartbreak created one of the most dramatic scenes English football has ever witnessed.

United head coach Michael Carrick still remembers the pain and torture of losing the title in such cruel fashion.

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has received major recognition for his extraordinary performances during the 2025-26 campaign.

Bruno Fernandes has been named the Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year.

Declan Rice and Erling Haaland finished second and third respectively in the prestigious voting.

The Portuguese playmaker has enjoyed one of the finest individual seasons of his career at Old Trafford.

He has registered an outstanding eight goals and 19 assists in the Premier League alone.

Rayan Cherki sits second in the assist rankings but trails Fernandes by a staggering eight assists.

Fernandes is just one assist away to match the ultimate record of most assists in a single season, which is currently held by Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne.

When it comes to overall goal contributions, only Haaland (32) has produced more than Fernandes (27).

Igor Thiago ranks third on the list with 23 goal contributions.

Fernandes has also created more than 120 chances in the league this season.

Remarkably, the next-best players on that list are only in the 60s, highlighting the enormous gulf in creative quality.

This award is far from a popularity contest. It is voted for by football writers who closely analyse performances across the league every single week.

While fans are often driven by emotion and club loyalty, journalists are generally expected to assess performances with greater objectivity.

Public personality and outspoken Arsenal supporter Piers Morgan labelled the result “ridiculous” and a “farce“.

However, the reality is that Rice has not matched Fernandes’ overall influence for his team this season.

Stats from Fotmob.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .

Manchester United are poised to reinforce their midfield department during the summer.

The Red Devils have already confirmed that Casemiro will depart at the expiry of his contract (June 30).

United could also part ways with Manuel Ugarte amid interest from Napoli and Atletico Madrid.

The club could pursue two marquee midfielders in the transfer market, and Tuttomercato claim that the Red Devils are ‘ready to submit a suitable offer’ for Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali.

The Italian, who has just turned 26, has also been on Juventus’ radar, but the Serie A giants are no longer in the race as they can’t compete financially. The Magpies want £87 million for Tonali’s exit.

Tonali speculation could be agent-driven

The former AC Milan midfielder has been a key player for the Magpies, either side of his betting ban. He has made 51 appearances as a holding midfielder this term, managing 10 goal contributions.

However, he has not been at his best defensively. The Italian has won just three duels per league game with four recoveries. The midfielder has been guilty of losing possession 11.4 times per outing.

His passing statistics are not exceptional either, with an accuracy of only 84 percent. Tonali’s work rate is a big positive, but his inconsistent ball control and distribution would not suit the Red Devils.

United need someone who can make more defensive contributions. They likewise require better passing attributes. Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni would be a fabulous acquisition in that aspect.

Tonali would be a good second midfield signing this summer, but £87 million seems excessive for his current ability. The speculation is probably agent-driven, aimed at seeking a bigger challenge.

With the Magpies likely to miss out on Europe next term, Tonali could have his sights on playing Champions League football. We believe United should steer clear of making an approach.

Stats from Transfermarkt & Sofascore

Article written by Sri Aswin .

Manchester United have undergone a stunning transformation under interim manager Michael Carrick.

The Red Devils have won an incredible 10 of their 14 matches since Carrick stepped into the dugout.

Few could have imagined such a dramatic revival after the turbulent 14-month spell overseen by former manager Ruben Amorim.

As unbelievable as it may sound, United could genuinely have been in the Premier League title race had Carrick been appointed from the beginning of the campaign.

If the table were calculated from the moment the 44-year-old took charge, United would sit proudly at the summit with a commanding five-point lead over Arsenal.

The Red Devils have accumulated an impressive 32 points during that period, while Arsenal and Manchester City trail behind on 27 points.

This is by no means intended as criticism of either rival side.

Mikel Arteta finally appears on course to reward Arsenal’s long-term project with a league title after City dropped points against Everton last weekend.

It has been a chaotic and unpredictable season in which no single side has managed to seize complete control.

Carrick has done a remarkable job and may have helped United finish even higher if INEOS had not waited until January to say goodbye to Amorim.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the senior members of the club have a big managerial decision to make in the coming weeks.

Carrick has made a compelling case to be appointed permanently, particularly with elite alternatives such as Luis Enrique and Carlo Ancelotti seemingly unavailable.

The biggest question now is whether the former United midfielder can carry this same momentum and inspiration into next season.

That is a question nobody can answer with certainty.

Football has always been a sport built on bold and calculated risks.

Given the remarkable turnaround he has engineered, appointing Carrick ahead of more conventional options increasingly feels like the smartest and most logical route forward.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .