Leny Yoro is predicted to return to Manchester United’s starting XI as Rúben Amorim selects his team to face Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester United return to Old Trafford before the October international break, preparing to take on Sunderland for the first time since April 2017.
Rúben Amorim has struggled to get his side going this season, with United winning just two of their opening six Premier League matches and sitting 14th, only marginally above last year’s 15th-place finish.
Sunderland, meanwhile, have made a flying start on their return to the top flight. Régis Le Bris’ men occupy fifth place with 11 points from their first six games.
Following a 3-1 defeat at Brentford, the pressure is intensifying on Amorim to reverse United’s fortunes amid rising unease among supporters.
Amorim likely to make unpopular decisions vs Sunderland
There’s been a lot of debate surroudning United’s goalkeeping situation in the last six months, with neither André Onana nor Altay Bayındır impressing. The club signed a new goalkeeper from Royal Antwerp, Senne Lammens, but he’s yet to make his debut.
Although fans have been pushing for Lammens to start for over a month, Amorim has stuck by Bayındır after Onana’s laon to turkey, and there is little to indicate a change will be made – a decision that will no doubt be unpopular among United’s fans.
As for the defence, it makes sense that Leny Yoro coudl return to the starting team. Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw have started every one of United’s league fixtures this season, and are likely to retain their possitions in the middle and left of the back three, with the Frenchman returning on the right hand side.
The wing-back position next to Yoro could also see the return of Amad, who missed the Brentford game due to compassionste leave. Amorim will want his team on the front foot on Saturday afternoon, which makes the Ivorian the obvious choice on the right flank.
As for the opposite side of the pitch, Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu remains United’s only first-team left wing-back and is expected to remain on the left hand side.
In midfield, Bruno Fernandes will no doubt continue in his deeper role despite reports that he is growing “unhappy” in the position.
Although Kobbie Mainoo has come off the bench in mnany games, Amorim will likely make the unpopular decision of keeping him there and instead start Casemiro, who is available for selection once again folloiwng his red card against Chelsea two weeks ago.
In the front three, no changes are expected. Benjamin Šeško netted his first goal for the club last weekend and will liekly conitnue through the middle, while Bryan Mbeumo has been on good form for United, especially at Old Trafford.
Matheus Cunha is the man most likely to start on the left of the attack, and will be looking to secure his first goal inolvement with the Reds as he gets back to full match fitness.
United predicted XI vs Sunderland
Bayındır, Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw, Amad, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu, Mbeumo, Šeško, Cunha.
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