The Red Devils failed to improve on their start to the year and though they remain unbeaten in the league in 2017, they picked up just a couple of points from their last two league games and are back to the sixth place in the points table.
They drew with Everton in the previous game at home but have a great chance to get back to winning ways when they face a former manager in David Moyes at the Stadium of Light this weekend.
The Black Cats have picked up just one point from their last three games in the league and will need a huge upset this weekend to take all three points from the Red Devils, in their pursuit of safety.
But Mourinho will know that he cannot afford any more slip-ups if he is to qualify for the Champions League so he will go all out for a victory in this tie. Here is the team news and predicted lineup for the Red Devils for this tie:
Team News:
The likes of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones remain sidelined with injuries they picked up on international duty. Juan Mata is also ruled out for this game while Mourinho recently revealed that skipper Wayne Rooney is also out of this clash against Sunderland. Winger Ashley Young picked up a knock recently and will be assessed before this game.
Defence:
Spanish shot-stopper David de Gea should keep his place in-between the sticks after a decent game against the Toffees. While Smalling and Jones remain injured, Mourinho should stick with Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo as his centre-back partnership for this game against Sunderland. Both players will hope to have an easy game on the night.
First choice right-back Antonio Valencia was rested for the game against Everton but should be back to replace Ashley Young on the right side of the defence. Luke Shaw on the other wing was criticised by Mourinho extensively and he should be replaced by Daley Blind for this game.
Midfield:
Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera was superb against Everton and he should keep his place in the side for this tie. French sensation Paul Pogba only got to play the second half earlier in the week but he should start alongside Herrera in this tie. Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini should be dropped to the bench as Mourinho is expected to use a 4-2-3-1 formation for a Sunderland side that will set themselves up to sit back and defend.
Attack:
While Zlatan Ibrahimovic will keep his place and lead the attack of the side, Anthony Martial should keep his place on the left-flank in the attack. The French star was an unused substitute in the previous game while the Swede is fresh from an equaliser against Everton.
Jesse Lingard put in a decent performance and Mourinho might stick with him for this tie on the right flank. Henrikh Mkhitaryan was used as a sub against Everton and he should play in a number 10 role in this game for United.
Here is how they would line up (4-2-3-1):
