Sunderland vs Manchester United Preview: Premier League Clash

Sunderland host Manchester United at the Stadium of Light on 9 May 2026 in Premier League Regular Season round 36. Sunderland arrive 12th on 47 points (goal difference -9), while Manchester United sit 3rd with 64 points and a goal difference of 15.

Sunderland Availability

Sunderland face both suspension and fitness concerns.

• D. Ballard (Suspension – Red Card) is sidelined.
• R. Mundle (Injury – Hamstring Injury) is sidelined.
• N. Angulo (Injury – Muscle Injury) is doubtful.
• B. Traoré (Injury – Knee Injury) is doubtful.

Creative midfielders G. Xhaka and E. Le Fée, both among Sunderland’s leading providers with 6 and 5 assists respectively, are available and expected to shoulder much of the build-up responsibility in the absence of wide option Mundle and with Angulo and Traoré uncertain.

Manchester United Availability

Manchester United have two key names to monitor.

• B. Šeško (Injury – Leg Injury) is doubtful.
• M. de Ligt (Injury – Back Injury) is doubtful.

Šeško, United’s leading scorer with 11 league goals, is a potential major blow if he fails to recover, though fellow attackers B. Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha (9 goals each) remain available to carry the goal threat.

Impact Summary

Sunderland’s absences are concentrated in defense and wide attack, trimming their depth but leaving their main creators intact. Manchester United risk losing a significant share of their attacking output if Šeško does not feature, but still retain multiple high-scoring options to sustain their offensive level.