Manchester United travel to face a struggling Sunderland side on Saturday at the Stadium of Light, looking to gain some ground on the top four after slipping up against Chelsea last weekend.
United go into the game in fifth position in the Premier League, six points off Manchester City in fourth place, and twelve points off leaders Leicester City. Sunderland go into the game sitting second bottom in the league, losing two, winning two and drawing two of their last six games, but they got a dramatic late point at Anfield against Liverpool last weekend, so they will bring some confidence into this weekend's game.
It is crucial for United, with them playing first this weekend, to put pressure on the teams above them and gain three points on them, especially with all four of leading sides playing each other.
The title is pretty much gone this season for United, but there is still time to push for a top four place. They can't afford any more slip-ups in the run in after the late equaliser they conceded last weekend at Stamford Bridge.
Sunderland are battling for their lives to stay in the Premier League this season, and have been lacking the consistency to win a few games in a row, but recent performances against Liverpool and Manchester City will give them confidence especially at home.
Last time they met
The last time the two teams met at the Stadium of the Light was at the beginning of the 2014/15 season when the game finished 1-1 after an early goal from Juan Mata was cancelled out by a goal from Jack Rodwell. The game earlier in the season at Old Trafford saw United run out easy winners with a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Memphis Depay, Wayne Rooney and Mata again.
Team News
Manchester United
United go into the game with Sunderland with eight players out missing through injury. Defenders Luke Shaw (broken leg), Marcos Rojo (shoulder), Ashley Young (groin) and Antonio Valencia (foot) still remain out for some time yet.
Phil Jones, Adnan Januzaj and Guillermo Varela all came away with injuries on Monday night when they played for the under-21s which is a disaster for Louis van Gaal who wanted to give them game time.
Bastian Schweinsteiger still remains out with a knee injury which he picked up at the beginning of January. The good news is that Will Keane, who scored five goals for the U21s on Monday has been confirmed in the squad for the game by van Gaal, which is good to see.
Sunderland
Sunderland head into the game with United with a few players missing through injury. Sam Allardyce confirmed that defender Younes Kaboul is out with an ankle injury while midfielder Sebastian Larsson is out with a knee injury.
Strikers Jeremain Lens and Duncan Watmore are both out with injuries while defender Billy Jones is also a doubt, but striker Fabio Borini is set to return after illness.
Sunderland will host Manchester United at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, February 13th with kick-off at 12.45 PM BST.