Manchester United have been handed a couple of juicy fixtures over the Christmas and New Year period and they welcome Sunderland on Monday. United have found their footing after a tumultuous period where they were finding it insanely difficult to win matches.
Jose Mourinho’s entourage of superstars seem to be gelling together and the likes of Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan look more like themselves.
The biggest plus has obviously been Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s form and contribution in the form of goals. He has been criticised in some quarters for his overall contribution but when you are banging in the goals and collecting points like this, the player doesn’t mind what the ‘Einsteins’ say (as Jose Mourinho refers to the pundits now).
The Red Devils have opened up a safe gap of 6 points with Southampton who are 7th and are just 4 points off 4th placed Arsenal side.
Ibrahimovic will again be the danger man as will look to add to his 11 goals this season and Sunderland will do well to keep him quiet. The Black Cats are having a torrid time and will be feeling handicapped with their financial state which virtually renders them incapacitated in the January transfer window.
They will look to be positive though and the current crop of players will want to put their hands up and be counted. Here is our Predicted 4-3-3 Manchester United Lineup Vs Sunderland.
PREDICTED MANCHESTER UNITED XI VS SUNDERLAND (4-1-4-1)
DEFENCE
David de Gea will be in goal and will be confident of keeping a clean sheet. He has again been brilliant under the bar and little has gone past him. Defoe and co. will be wary of that even if they get a chance in the box, which seems unlikely.
Phil Jones has reportedly trained in the week and his return to fitness might see Bailly not been risked. Marcos Rojo will be his partner and the pair of them will look to carry on their impressive recent form.
Antonio Valencia will be at right back with Darmian at left-back once again.
