Six Players Unavailable as Manchester United Faces Sunderland

Manchester United is facing a potential setback ahead of their match against Sunderland this weekend, with as many as six players possibly unavailable. The clash will take place at Old Trafford on October 7, 2023, as both teams seek to improve their positions in the Premier League standings.

United’s recent form has been disappointing, highlighted by a 3-1 loss to Brentford last weekend. In contrast, Sunderland enters the match with a boost, having secured a 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest. Currently, Manchester United sits precariously just three points above the relegation zone, while Sunderland is positioned fifth, separated from Tottenham Hotspur in the top four only by goal difference.

Historically, Sunderland has struggled at Old Trafford, with their last victory there dating back to May 2014, when Sebastian Larsson scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 win. Despite this, Sunderland’s manager, Regis Le Bris, remains optimistic about his team’s chances.

Sunderland’s Injury Update and Strategy

Le Bris provided encouraging news on Thursday, confirming that defender Nordi Mukiele is fit to play against United. He stated, “Nordi is fine, he’s OK. We have no new injuries.” However, he also acknowledged that two players, Romaine Mundle and Dennis Cirkin, are unlikely to return for at least a month, while Leo Hjelde and Aji Alese are also dealing with injuries that could sideline them for similar durations.

Le Bris emphasized the challenge of playing at Old Trafford, noting, “Being at Old Trafford demands strong personality and strong character. I still believe that we’ll need to upgrade our performance to be competitive in Manchester.” He highlighted the need for his players to maintain focus on their own performance, stating, “The only thing we can control is our way of playing.”

Manchester United’s Unavailable Players

On the other side, Manchester United’s manager, Ruben Amorim, confirmed that the team will be without two key players: Noussair Mazraoui and Lisandro Martinez. Amorim noted that Mazraoui is expected to be out until the next international break. Martinez continues to recover from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in February but has recently returned to partial training.

Despite these absences, United will welcome back Casemiro, who missed the defeat to Brentford due to suspension, alongside Amad, who had taken compassionate leave following a family loss. Additionally, young player Daniel Armer participated in first-team training on Wednesday and could be in contention for a spot in the squad.

With both teams eager for points, Saturday’s match promises to be a crucial encounter that could significantly influence their respective seasons.