Squad sheets: Sunderland v Manchester United

If Manchester United still contain some romance despite the materialism of the owners, they will picture themselves as champions against the odds. That outcome is unlikely but they must seek a win at Sunderland and hope, in particular, to take an early lead that puts strain on Manchester City, who top the table solely on goal difference. At least Sir Alex Ferguson's side has easily the best away record in the Premier League this season, having won 12 times on their travels and taken a total of 39 points from a possible 54. Kevin McCarra Venue Stadium of Light, Sunday 3pm Tickets £35-55 (0871 911 1973) Last season Sunderland 0 Man Utd 0 Referee Howard Webb This season's matches 28 Y 84, R 3, 3.11 cards per game Odds Sunderland 7-1 Man Utd 4-9 Draw 4-1 Sunderland Subs from Gordon, Westwood, Bridge, Bramble, Kyrgiakos, Elmohamady, Ji, Vaughan, Meyler, Campbell, Lynch Doubtful None Injured Brown (knee, Aug), Larsson (groin, Aug), Richardson (groin, Aug), Wickham (ankle, Aug) Suspended None Form guide LDDDLD Disciplinary record Y58 R3 Leading scorer Bendtner 8 Manchester United Subs from Amos, Lindegaard, Berbatov, Park, Giggs, Cleverley, F da Silva, Pogba, Valencia, Owen, Thorpe, Fryers, Keane Doubtful None Injured Anderson (hamstring, Aug), Evans (foot, Aug), Vidic (knee, Aug), Smalling (ankle, Aug), Welbeck (foot, aug), Fletcher (bowel, unknown) Suspended None Form guide WLDWLW Disciplinary record Y47 R1 Leading scorer Rooney 26 Match pointers • Sunderland have failed to score in eight of their last 10 league games against United • If United score two or more goals they will become only the fourth team in Premier League history to find the net 90 or more times in a season • There have been more goals from direct free-kicks in games involving Sunderland (five scored, four conceded) than any other team • Sunderland have not beaten United in their past 19 top-flight meetings dating back to March 1997 • Three of United's last five goals against Sunderland have been own goals (two by Anton Ferdinand and one by Wes Brown)