Sunderland vs Manchester United: Premier League Match Preview

Sunderland host Manchester United at the Stadium of Light on 9 May 2026 in Premier League Regular Season round 36. Sunderland arrive 12th with 47 points and a goal difference of -9, while Manchester United sit 3rd on 64 points with a goal difference of 15.

Sunderland Availability

Sunderland have both disciplinary and fitness concerns.

• D. Ballard (Suspension – Red Card) is sidelined.
• R. Mundle (Injury – Hamstring Injury) is sidelined.
• N. Angulo (Injury – Muscle Injury) is doubtful.
• B. Traoré (Injury – Knee Injury) is doubtful.

With 37 league goals scored, Sunderland rely heavily on creators like G. Xhaka (6 assists) and E. Le Fée (5 assists), both of whom are available and expected to shoulder extra attacking responsibility in the absence of Mundle and with Angulo and Traoré uncertain.

Manchester United Availability

Manchester United also have key doubts.

• B. Šeško (Injury – Leg Injury) is doubtful.
• M. de Ligt (Injury – Back Injury) is doubtful.

Šeško has 11 league goals and 1 assist, making his potential absence a major blow to United’s attacking edge. However, fellow leading scorers B. Mbeumo (9 goals, 3 assists), Casemiro (9 goals, 2 assists) and Matheus Cunha (9 goals, 2 assists) are all available, as is chief creator Bruno Fernandes with 8 goals and 19 assists.

Impact Summary

Sunderland’s issues are spread between defense and forward depth, trimming their flexibility rather than their primary output. Manchester United risk losing a high-volume finisher in Šeško, but retain a strong core of scorers and their most prolific provider, so their overall attacking threat remains substantial.