Sunderland host Manchester United at the Stadium of Light with Carrick's red-hot run on the line
Sunderland host Manchester United at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon with the two clubs heading in opposite directions. United are third in the Premier League and already through to next season's Champions League. Sunderland sit twelfth on a season that has already cleared its main hurdle: mathematical safety, locked in earlier this month.
The kick-off is at 3pm UK time, the late one of a busy day. Both sides know what the points are worth now, and both sides know they are not playing for the same things.
United's Carrick run
Michael Carrick has been in charge as interim head coach since Ruben Amorim's January exit, and the talks about handing him the job permanently have only got louder. United go into the Stadium of Light on the back of a winning run that has put them third and confirmed their European ticket for next year. Matthijs de Ligt is unavailable with a back issue, and Benjamin Sesko is doubtful after picking up a shin problem in the previous game and being withdrawn at half-time.
The reverse fixture at Old Trafford finished 2-0 to United back in the autumn, and a win on Wearside would seal the league double over Sunderland.
Le Bris and the home edge
Régis Le Bris signed a long-term deal earlier in the season to stay at Sunderland through 2028, a contract that doubled as an endorsement of how he had managed the promoted side's first year back. The Stadium of Light has been the bedrock of that. Sunderland have made their home a difficult ground to visit this season, and Le Bris has spoken openly about the role the crowd plays in tilting the dynamic of matches.
The headline absentees on his side are Daniel Ballard, who begins a three-match suspension this weekend, and Romaine Mundle, who remains out with a hamstring problem. Bertrand Traore (knee) and Nilson Angulo are back in training and could feature in the matchday squad after long lay-offs.
Form and stakes
Sunderland's recent form has tailed off. After a 1-0 home win over Tottenham on April 12, they lost 4-3 at Aston Villa, were beaten 5-0 at home by Nottingham Forest, then drew 1-1 with Wolves to nail down their safety. That makes it three league games without a win, and Saturday is a hard one to break the run on. Carrick has accumulated more Premier League points than any other manager since taking over in January, with wins over Manchester City, Arsenal and most recently Liverpool already on the board.
For United, the focus is finishing the season strongly. Carrick has spoken about wanting the squad to hold the same intensity through to the final round on Sunday, May 24. With third already locked in, the priority now is rhythm. Three games left, starting at the Stadium of Light.
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