Manchester United v Sunderland Preview

Article by Ben Mummery

After such a poor first half against Southampton, one could be forgiven for walking out at the 30 minute mark on Saturday. Sunderland looked a side who frankly, did not belong in the premier league, and by some distance.

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Every aspect of their game was 2nd best, and some were non-existent. The saints were able to keep possession as and when they pleased, and were afforded seemingly as much time as they pleased on the ball, as Sunderland looked reluctant to close players down, or apply pressure to the ball. With what scant ball Sunderland had, they were given no time at all by a slick, organized, high tempo defense, who looked hungry to gain the ball back, as to be honest, only one team looked interested in playing football.

This is much of what Sunderland can expect at Old Trafford tomorrow night, and if the lads take to the field with the same attitude they did on Saturday, they can kiss goodbye to that hard earned 2-1 home advantage they battled so hungrily for at the stadium of light.

Man United’s recent lack of their usual class and success has been well documented, and it’s fair to say they are a club in transition. This is no real problem for a club of their size, and this writer is perfectly confident that come next season, or the season after at the very latest, they will be back to their usual winning ways, with the club firmly in the upper echelons of the premier league table. Sunderland however, must take advantage of their current transitional phase – there will be plenty of time to be thrashed senseless by a new look, league winning Manchester United next year (as long as we stay up!), but for now, we must play a side looking shaky in defense, and lacking it’s usual cutting edge on the front foot. That, with the added pressure of a home crown who are not afraid to show their disapproval, could be the making of a Sunderland win.

Form so far, has eluded the Black Cats so far this season, as is so often the case with the teams in the bottom five or six of the table. An inability to string performances together has been Sunderland’s ruin, and the cup has offered something for the fans to fall back on. However this semi final could be potentially, the biggest game of the season for Gus Poyet’s men, after all, should they progress to the final – it’s only Man City!

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