Sunderland host champions Manchester United

Champions Manchester United look to kick-start their season at bottom of the table Sunderland.

After their defeat at home by West Bromwich Albion last weekend, manager David Moyes will be desperate to get United's domestic campaign back on track.

In what is United's worst start to season in nearly a quarter of a century, they sit 12th in the table having lost half of their opening six matches.

However, Sunderland's start has been the worst in the league as they currently prop up the table with just one point.


Caretaker boss Kevin Ball took charge from Paolo Di Canio late last month after their defeat at West Brom and, despite a 3-1 loss to Liverpool in his first game in charge, there were plenty of positives to take.

History wise Sunderland have a woeful record against United, and have not beaten them in the league since March 1997 - some 22 games ago - and indeed the Red Devils have won the last five meetings.

Despite their relative struggles in the league, United's start to their European campaign has been decent and that continued with a midweek draw against Shakhtar Donetsk.

Sunderland

Last 6

1. 1-3
2. 2-0
3. 3-0
4. 1-3
5. 3-1
6. 4-2

Striker Fabio Borini returns to the Sunderland squad for Saturday evening's

Premier League clash with Manchester United.

The 22-year-old was ineligible for Sunday's 3-1 home defeat by parent club
Liverpool under the terms of his loan agreement, but will hand interim head
coach Kevin Ball a fresh option for the United game.

Ball has no fresh injury worries with striker Steven Fletcher continuing his
recovery from a dislocated shoulder, while defenders Wes Brown (calf) and Andrea Dossena (thigh) work their way back to full fitness.

Man Utd

Last 6

1. 1-1

2. 1-2

3. 1-0

4. 4-1

5. 4-2

6. 2-0

David Moyes has an almost fully fit squad to choose from for the trip to Wearside.

The major injury doubt is over Rio Ferdinand, who picked up a groin injury in the defeat by West Brom and he did not make the midweek game at Shakhtar Donetsk.

Tom Cleverley is the only other doubt, as Anderson, Wilfried Zaha and Fabio could all return to the squad after being left out of the Ukraine trip.