Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will be boosted by the returns of Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan as his team prepares to host Sunderland in a Premier League Boxing Day encounter.
After suffering a late injury in the closing stages of Manchester United’s recent Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur, in-form midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is expected to make a return to the starting line-up against Sunderland.
In a second piece of positive news for United boss Jose Mourinho, defender Eric Bailly is also available after ambling off with a knee complaint during United’s 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace last week.
Whilst the Armenian international is likely to slot straight back in to Mourinho’s line-up, it is anticipated that Ivorian central defender Bailly will not manage to dislodge the promising partnership of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo – as the pair have been impressive across United’s previous three Premier League matches, only conceding one goal in the process.
Indeed, United are expected to remain consistent with the majority of their line-up; particularly regarding the defensive set-up.
Goalkeeper David De Gea should play behind the back four of right back Antonio Valencia, the aforementioned duo of Jones and Rojo, and Italian Matteo Darmian at left back.
In front of the Red Devils’ defence, we are likely to see continuity with the recently effective trio of Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba – with the latter’s greater impact on the side in recent games certainly benefitting from the protective insurance provided by Carrick, alongside the vastly improved Herrera.
Mkhitaryan’s re-installation to the first XI is likely to see Jesse Lingard return to the bench, with England captain Wayne Rooney due to start – remaining one goal shy of equalling Sir Bobby Charlton’s United scoring record.
Whilst Rooney may be on 248 United goals, centre forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has ten goals in his last nine matches and is fast becoming the main man in Mourinho’s United evolution. As such, Ibrahimovic is fully expected to lead the line against a Sunderland defence hit by injuries.
Sunderland manager David Moyes makes a return to Old Trafford with his side currently in 18th position in the Premier League. Moyes will be without many a first teamer due to a mini-injury crisis.
Defenders Billy Jones, Javier Manquillo and former United man Paddy McNair remain sidelined, as do midfielders Lee Cattermole, Lyndon Gooch, Jack Rodwell and Jan Kirchhoff. Moyes also has doubts over the fitness of Steven Pienaar, and Duncan Watmore, and on-loan winger Adnan Januzaj is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Moyes will be hoping that talisman Jermaine Defoe will be ale to provide the goal threat required to give Sunderland just their second top-flight victory at Old Trafford in 24 years.
Here are the Manchester United and Sunderland predicted line-ups in full:
Manchester United
Sunderland
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
