The Premier League week 2 show goes on with a clash between Sunderland and Manchester United. After impressing pre-season, Van Gaal suffered the first defeat at the Old Trafford last week vs Swansea City. Now the Dutchman will try to secure his first win in English Premier League under Manchester United management. Meanwhile Sunderland comes with a hard-earned draw away vs West Bromwich Albion.
PREMIER LEAGUE
August 24, 2014 • 16:00 • Stadium of Light, Sunderland
Referee: M. Atkinson
Live stream
Sunderland
After a miraculous survival last season, Sunderland will be more ambitious this season. Gus Poyet’s team has shown character last week vs West Bromwich Albion after earning a draw thanks to Sebastian Larsson’s late goal.
Unlike Manchester United , Sunderland’s team will be more fit today but still they will miss two summer signing [Santiago Vergini and Billy Jones] and they hope that Jack Rodwell will play tonight. Rodwell was bought this summer from Manchester City with a record fee of £10 million.
Possible line up for Sunderland : Mannone; Aanholt, O’shea, Roberage, Brown; Cattermole; Wickham, Rodwell, Larsson, Johnson; Fletcher.
Manchester United
After an unexpected defeat at Old Trafford debut, Van Gaal will try to secure the first win as United manager on official matches.
Good news for Manchester United is a return of trio Van Persie, Welbeck and Valencia who are fit and up to challenge for the today’s game. Still , beside this Van Gaal still has concerns. He admits that his team is out of options at the midfield and at the left back. 3 Major signings this summer will not be able to play today [ Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Herreira ].
“Robin is ready to play, so that is a big benefit for our team,I’m very happy that he is now able to play.” Stated Van Gaal at his pre-match press conference.
“Last week, we had nine injuries and now we have seven. It’s much too much. I have had this as a manager for the first time. We have to live with this.We have four injured midfielders Carrick, Herrera, Fellaini and Lingard,so we are thin on midfielders now.
Possible line up for Manchester United : De Gea; Smalling, Jones, Blackett; Valencia, Fletcher, Cleverley, Young; Mata; Rooney, Van Persie.