The Dugout Discussion – Sunderland vs Man United

We train our focus on the Stadium of Light for the curtain-raiser this Gameweek, as Sunderland play host to Manchester United. The Black Cats are winless in four match-ups but will be buoyed by the nature of their comeback against Liverpool, while the Red Devils have failed to post successive wins since Gameweek 13.

Man United neither excelled nor struggled on the attacking front over the last four Gameweeks, ranking in the middle of the pack for attempts (47) and shots inside the box (25). At the other end of the pitch, Louis van Gaal’s troops continue to prove a tough nut to crack, conceding just two goals, the fifth-fewest shots inside the box (26) and the joint-third-fewest big chances (four). That being said, they place eighth for goals conceded in away clashes (17), exposing a degree of vulnerability away from Old Trafford.

Sunderland were the league’s most infrequent shooters across the previous four Gameweeks, mustering five fewer attempts (33) and three fewer shots inside the box (15) than the rest of the field. Moreover, their paucity of creativity is underlined by the fact they placed joint-bottom for key passes (24). From a defensive standpoint, the Wearsiders need to tighten up, having conceded eight goals over that stretch. Intriguingly, however, only four sides have allowed fewer goals on their own turf (13) than Sunderland this season.