Here’s how Sunderland and Manchester United line up for the first leg of the League Cup semi-final, kick-off at 19:45 GMT.
Sunderland: Mannone, Bardsley, Alonso, Brown, O’Shea, Larsson, Cattermole, Ki, Giaccherini, Borini, Fletcher
Subs: Gardner, Johnson, Celustka, Colback, Altidore, Ji, Dixon
Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Vidic, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs, Januzaj, Welbeck
Subs: Lindegaard, Smalling, Hernandez, Fletcher, Kagawa, Büttner, Zaha
This is a massive game for both teams but more so for David Moyes’ Manchester United following their exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Swansea City last weekend.
United will be confident heading into this game because of their win at the Stadium of Light earlier in the season when winger Adnan Januzaj bagged a brace to launch himself into the United spotlight.
United secured a 2-0 win away at Stoke to reach this point.
Gus Poyet’s message to his Sunderland side will be simple; pile on the misery and take an advantage back to Old Trafford.
The Black Cats beat Chelsea at home in the last round, which goes to show how difficult they are to beat when they play in front of their home fans, who can create an intimidating atmosphere this evening.
image: © Ben Andreas Harding
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