Explore My Football Facts' detailed preview for Sunderland vs Manchester United in the Premier League. Stats, odds, predictions, and lineups for the 15:00 BST match.
Fixture Information
| Fixture | Sunderland vs Manchester United |
|---|---|
| Competition | Premier League |
| Date | Saturday, 09 May 2026 |
| Kick-off | 15:00 BST |
| Venue | Stadium of Light |
Match Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Manchester United
Prediction Stats
Fulltime Result Probability
Both Teams To Score Probability
Over/Under 2.5 Probability
Last 5 Meetings
| League | Date | Match | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 04 Oct 2025 |  Manchester United vs  Sunderland |
2 – 0 | Old Trafford |
| Premier League | 09 Apr 2017 | Sunderland vs Manchester United |
0 – 3 | Stadium of Light |
| Premier League | 26 Dec 2016 | Manchester United vs Sunderland |
3 – 1 | Old Trafford |
| Premier League | 13 Feb 2016 | Sunderland vs Manchester United |
2 – 1 | Stadium of Light |
| Premier League | 26 Sep 2015 | Manchester United vs Sunderland |
3 – 0 | Old Trafford |
Sunderland come into this with a mixed run, but the recent home defeat to Nottingham Forest and the 1-1 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers suggest they have been less secure at the back than earlier in the sequence. Manchester United have won three in a row in the league, including home wins over Liverpool and Brentford and an away victory at Chelsea, so they arrive with the stronger momentum. With no xG data available, the recent results and the head-to-head record point towards United having the edge, although Sunderland’s home crowd could still make this awkward.
Sunderland’s best route is likely to be keeping the game tight and leaning on Brian Brobbey to give them an outlet up front. Manchester United have been scoring regularly in their recent wins, and Benjamin Sesko gives them a clear focal point in the final third. The head-to-head also leans United’s way, with Sunderland losing the most recent meeting 2-0, so the visitors look the more reliable betting angle. Match Prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Manchester United
Form Guide & Team Overview
Sunderland
Sunderland’s recent league form has been patchy, with one draw, two defeats and two wins in their last five. The 0-5 home loss to Nottingham Forest stands out, while the 3-4 defeat at Aston Villa shows they have been involved in open games as well.
There have been positives too, with a 1-0 home win over Tottenham Hotspur and a 2-1 away win at Newcastle United. The 1-1 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers suggests they can compete, but the overall picture is of a side that has been inconsistent.
Sunderland Last 5 Results
| League | Date | Match | Score | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 2 May 2026 |  Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Sunderland |
1 – 1 | D | Molineux Stadium |
| Premier League | 24 Apr 2026 | Sunderland vs  Nottingham Forest |
0 – 5 | L | Stadium of Light |
| Premier League | 19 Apr 2026 |  Aston Villa vs Sunderland |
4 – 3 | L | Villa Park |
| Premier League | 12 Apr 2026 | Sunderland vs  Tottenham Hotspur |
1 – 0 | W | Stadium of Light |
| Premier League | 22 Mar 2026 |  Newcastle United vs Sunderland |
1 – 2 | W | St. James' Park |
Manchester United
Manchester United arrive in better shape, having won their last three league matches. Those results include a 3-2 home win over Liverpool, a 2-1 home win over Brentford and a 1-0 away win at Chelsea.
Before that run, they were less convincing, with a home loss to Leeds United and a draw at AFC Bournemouth. Even so, the current sequence gives them clear momentum heading into this trip.
Manchester United Last 5 Results
| League | Date | Match | Score | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 3 May 2026 | Manchester United vs  Liverpool |
3 – 2 | W | Old Trafford |
| Premier League | 27 Apr 2026 | Manchester United vs  Brentford |
2 – 1 | W | Old Trafford |
| Premier League | 18 Apr 2026 |  Chelsea vs Manchester United |
0 – 1 | W | Stamford Bridge |
| Premier League | 13 Apr 2026 | Manchester United vs  Leeds United |
1 – 2 | L | Old Trafford |
| Premier League | 20 Mar 2026 |  AFC Bournemouth vs Manchester United |
2 – 2 | D | Vitality Stadium |
Team News & Injury Report
Sunderland
- Dan Ballard (Red Card Suspension)
Manchester United
- Matheus Cunha (Hip Flexor Problems)
Lineups & Tactical Setup
Sunderland (4-2-3-1)
Predicted lineup: Robin Roefs (Goalkeeper), TBC (Defender), Nordi Mukiele (Defender), Omar Alderete (Defender), Reinildo Mandava (Defender), Chemsdine Talbi (Midfielder), Enzo Le Fée (Midfielder), Granit Xhaka (Midfielder), Noah Sadiki (Midfielder), Trai Hume (Midfielder), Brian Brobbey (Attacker)
Sunderland’s 4-2-3-1 should give them a solid base, with the double pivot helping protect the back line and release the wide midfielders quickly. Brian Brobbey can then stay high as the main reference point, with support arriving from the three players behind him.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
Predicted lineup: Senne Lammens (Goalkeeper), Ayden Heaven (Defender), Diogo Dalot (Defender), Harry Maguire (Defender), Luke Shaw (Defender), Bruno Fernandes (Midfielder), Bryan Mbeumo (Midfielder), Casemiro (Midfielder), Kobbie Mainoo (Midfielder), TBC (Midfielder), Benjamin Sesko (Attacker)
Manchester United’s 4-2-3-1 gives them a strong central spine, with Bruno Fernandes and the deeper midfielders able to control tempo and feed the attack. Benjamin Sesko should benefit from service between the lines and from wide areas, especially if the full-backs push on.
Key Battles & Players to Watch
| Sunderland | Manchester United | Text |
|---|---|---|
| Sunderland | Manchester United | Brian Brobbey will need to use his physical presence to trouble Ayden Heaven and give Sunderland a way up the pitch. |
| Sunderland | Manchester United | Chemsdine Talbi against Bruno Fernandes could shape the midfield battle, with Sunderland needing Talbi to work hard without the ball. |
| Sunderland | Manchester United | Brian Brobbey is key for Sunderland because he is the main attacking outlet and the player most likely to turn pressure into chances. |
| Sunderland | Manchester United | Benjamin Sesko is key for Manchester United because he has been the central forward in their recent wins and offers the clearest finishing threat. |
FAQs
For the best Premier League outright predictions, explore our guide.
Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.
