Manchester United

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Casemiro has received a huge amount of praise for his performances this season.

Manchester United's fans have taken to chanting "one more year" in the hope the Brazilian would extend his stay at Old Trafford.

It won't happen. His absence this afternoon means an appearance clause that would have triggered an extra year in his contract will not have been met, even if it had not been mutually agreed to remove it, and Casemiro will leave at the end of the season.

United have made strengthening central midfield a number one priority in the summer and this performance emphasised why.

Kobbie Mainoo has shown his class since Michael Carrick took over and Mason Mount is an astute schemer and a danger in attack.

However, neither read a game like Casemiro - they don't sense danger in the same way, nor do they dictate the flow of a match.

It meant the visitors were not able to keep possession and build pressure, and frequently found themselves exposed to a Sunderland attack that would have profited had they been either more clinical or not found Lammens on top form.

It remains to be seen exactly how many players United bring in this summer, but two midfielders seems a minimum requirement. A lack of creativity when skipper Bruno Fernandes is off form was also evident given it took so long to threaten the Sunderland goal.

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It's an OK result, it isn't the end of the world by any stretch. We got a clean sheet away from home at a tough ground. We knew it was going to be tough.

"We knew it was never going to be a perfect game. It probably shows where we're at in terms of not playing totally at our best, so one point is OK.

"Maybe the changes affected our game a little bit, but it is a one-off game and it isn't something I'm thinking negatively about. There were a lot of positives today and it was good for some of the boys to get more game time and more minutes on the pitch, so I was really pleased with that."

On the run of scoring in every league game coming to an end: "That's football. We've scored goals for a long period of time, so not scoring in one game can also happen. It's not one to overanalyse from our point of view.

"I put this result down to football. There was a team out there defending as well as attacking, so it happens and I cannot be overcritical of our players today."

On whether Casemiro's presence was missed in midfield: "He has played well. In terms of missing players, we have a really good squad anyway. It is one performance and one game, so I don't think we need to overanalyse that bit of it either."

On whether there was an issue with motivation: "No. Not at all. Nothing is done, the season isn't finished. If someone has that mentality, they aren't in our camp. That's really not something we're concerned about at all."

Did you know?

• Manchester United's only shot on target in this match came in second half stoppage time, courtesy of Matheus Cunha.

• Manchester United are winless in all four Premier League matches this season in which Casemiro hasn't started (drawn one, lost three).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Sunderland's performance

What did you make of Man Utd's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Dan Ballard is suspended after getting sent off for pulling Tolu Arokodare's hair at Wolves last week.

Lutsharel Geertruida replaces Ballard in central defence as the only change from the draw at Molineux.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Geertruida, Alderete, Reinildo, Xhaka, Sadiki, Hume, Le Fee, Talbi, Brobbey.

Substitutes: Ellborg, Cirkins, Angula, Rigg, Mayenda, O'Nien, Isidor, Diarra, Bi.

Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko both miss out for Manchester United as Michael Carrick makes five changes to the side that beat Liverpool.

Manuel Ugarte is absent as well, so Kobbie Mainoo takes up a deeper midfield role and Mason Mount starts in the Premier League for the first time since December.

Lisandro Martinez is back after a three-game ban, while Noussair Mazraoui replaces Diogo Dalot at right-back and Joshua Zirkzee starts his fifth Premier League game of the season.

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Mainoo, Mount, Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Zirkzee.

Substitutes: Bayindir, Dalot, Malacia, Dorgu, Heaven, Yoro, J Fletcher, T Fletcher, Mbeumo.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Liverpool v Chelsea (12:30)

• Brighton v Wolves

• Fulham v Bournemouth - listen BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Sunderland v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester City v Brentford (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Bournemouth" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v Brentford", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Last Sunday's win over Liverpool was another big result for Manchester United boss Michael Carrick, especially because it secured Champions League qualification.

People forget what a rabble United were when he took over as head coach in January and he has brought a bit of calmness to the club.

United have got to make a decision about his future at the end of the season and can you imagine if they don't give him the job on a long-term basis? Mind you, I wouldn't be sure about United given some of the decisions they have made in the recent past.

In terms of this game, going to Sunderland is still a tough game - even though the Black Cats were walloped 5-0 by Nottingham Forest last time out at the Stadium of Light.

I keep backing Sunderland and keep being wrong about them. Their minds may be on the beach a bit, but I can see them getting a point here.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Prudent Nsengiyumva
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland welcome Manchester United to the Stadium of Light on Saturday (15:00 BST) as they continue their push for a European place, while the visitors arrive with Champions League qualification already secured.

Can Sunderland's resilient defence withstand United?

Sunderland's first season back in the Premier League has been built on organisation and discipline, even if recent heavy defeats have tested that foundation. Regis Le Bris's side remain one of the division's more reliable defensive units, with 10 clean sheets underlining their structure.

They have also shown a habit of finishing strongly. Five goals in the final 10 minutes of home matches have earned valuable points, including a late win over Brentford and a draw with Arsenal.

The Black Cats will, however, be without suspended centre-back Dan Ballard after his red card against Wolves – a significant absence for a team that relies heavily on cohesion at the back.

Can United maintain form against bottom half opposition?

Manchester United travel north on the back of three straight wins, including completing a league double over Liverpool. Under head coach Michael Carrick, they have looked composed in high-pressure fixtures - also beating Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea.

Their long-standing issue remains consistency against sides who sit deeper. United have won 10 out of 17 matches against top-half opponents, but only eight of 18 against those in the bottom half of the table, despite creating more chances.

History leans heavily towards the Red Devils, with Sunderland winning only three of their 33 Premier League meetings.

Bruno Fernandes again carries much of United's creative responsibility. The captain is one assist short of matching the Premier League season record of 20 held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has won the Football Writers' Association's men's Footballer of the Year award.

Midfielder Fernandes has scored eight goals and provided 20 assists in 34 games across all competitions for the Red Devils this season.

There is no doubt United have given Bruno Fernandes a push to get this award.

They have been talking up Fernandes' claims and also ensured the Portugal playmaker was promoted through some recent media engagements.

However, this would have been pointless had Fernandes not delivered at a time in the season when United needed him to deliver.

In October, when Fernandes spoke about qualification for the Champions League, few thought it was likely.

In January, when technical director Jason Wilcox told the United squad that was the aim despite Ruben Amorim's dismissal, it seemed a tall order.

That they have achieved it with three matches to spare and could yet end the campaign nearer in points terms to the eventual champions than in any other season since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement 13 years ago, owes a huge amount to Fernandes.

Since returning from a rare injury against Burnley, Sunday's victory over Liverpool was only the third match out of 16 in all competitions when Fernandes has not either scored a goal or created one.

His performances across the season have been consistently high and worthy of wider recognition.

Twelve months ago, when the debate over Fernandes' United future raged, the question being asked was simply this: where would they be without him? The suspicion was they would have been much closer to relegation than they actually were.

The same could be asked now. The answer? They surely would not be looking forward to a Champions League return.

Read more on Fernandes' fine form

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Manchester United's attack has been running blisteringly hot under Michael Carrick, which is obviously fantastic in the short term, but slightly worrying for the future when it inevitably cools down.

Eight teams have been better at creating chances based on expected goals since Carrick took charge at Old Trafford, but having the best shot conversion rate in the league means United have scored seven more goals than a team historically would from the chances they've had - more than any other side.

Looking at attack and defence overall, the only side to have overperformed their xG numbers by more than United in this time are Nottingham Forest, who are enjoying their own "new manager bounce" under Vitor Pereira.

Of the six players who've been the most clinical in the Premier League since Carrick took over in mid-January, three of them play for his team.

Only Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White has been more ruthless with his finishing than Matheus Cunha, while Benjamin Sesko and Casemiro have also been enjoying a hot spell in front of goal recently.

While Carrick deserves credit for getting his players firing, will the six players below remain the best finishers in the Premier League for ever? It's unlikely.

Read more on Carrick's time in charge at Old Trafford here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Sunderland after they celebrated on that day in May 2012 when Manchester United found out Manchester City had won the league with a last-gasp Sergio Aguero winner as Sir Alex Ferguson and his team waited to celebrate at the Stadium of Light.

Read Simon Stone's recollection of the day here but for now, here are some of your comments:

Christine: It could have been any club, not just Sunderland, they had an opportunity to mock Man Utd as they had just lost the league to City. Manchester United are a club that everyone wants to beat, and that's as it should be - as United are the biggest club in the world.

Brian: It goes back further than that, Sunderland beat us at Old Trafford in the 60s, on the last day to hand City the title. Len Ashurst was brilliant that day!

Keith: Never given Sunderland any thought before then or since. I am unable to understand how they played any part in the outcome. Mere bystanders. Still, if it gives them joy, then so be it.

Lynda: The match was screened at Old Trafford. We were celebrating winning when the news came through that City had snatched it. It was so painful, probably the worst day in our history since Denis Law's back heel.

James: Shock horror, opposition fans cheering United's misfortune, that's never happened before.

Shaun: One minute we were ready to celebrate, the next, we were slumped back in our seats. It was a sickener. I drove back to Manchester, and when I got near my house, City fans were doing the conga up the main road in Didsbury. Our worst nightmare had come true - City were champions, I never thought I would see the day.

Joe: When it comes to United and Sunderland, I only have two strong memories. An away defeat in the League Cup in 2000, getting home exceptionally late after extra time, and Eric's exquisite chip at Old Trafford in 1996! Serious rivals of ours? Nah.

Mark: I'm a United fan and don't care about Sunderland at all. Their fans only reacted as any other small club's fans would have done.

Image source, Getty Images

The Sunderland fans remember 13 May 2012, judging by the song they sang at Old Trafford during their 2-0 defeat by United in October.

"You thought it was yours, you thought it was yours, we heard you singing, then Sergio scored."

It is the kind of harmless banter commonplace at football grounds across the country and is bound to be given a few renditions on Saturday, for what is only United's sixth Premier League visit since that famous day.

What makes this trip stand out is that Michael Carrick was one of those to suffer, along with Jonny Evans, who is now part of his coaching team.

The pair are part of the video footage of the aftermath, both applauding the away support, Carrick in discussion with Ashley Young, trying to dissect what had happened.

Time heals of course. Carrick was part of the side that won at Sunderland the following year on the way to a historic 20th title.

But come Saturday, one suspects the gnawing memory would make winning there again just that little bit more satisfying.

"Obviously, it was a one-off kind of feeling," said Carrick. "It wasn't during the game, it wasn't until after.

"I didn't really know exactly where the land was lying at that point. It wasn't until we walked towards the edge of the pitch and had to deal with what was thrown out.

"It's in the past, but, yeah, it definitely sticks in the memory."

• Read about the Sunderland rivalry

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Carrick was part of the West Ham side that won the FA Youth Cup in 1999.

He has been to most Manchester United games in the competition this season and revealed in his news conference on Thursday he was part of a 67,000 crowd that watched a side containing Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho beat Nottingham Forest in the 2022 final at Old Trafford.

In addition, his son Jacey is in the United academy and made his debut for the under-18 side earlier this season.

It was not surprising Carrick had an opinion about the decision to host next Thursday's final against Manchester City at the 6,000-capacity Joie Stadium.

"I'm disappointed," he said. "The Youth Cup final always seems to have been a thing where you play at the main stadium. It's such a showcase event for players of that age group.

"I've had some amazing memories in that competition of playing with your close mates.

"It's a shame it hasn't worked out for whatever reason. It's a fantastic game, a great opportunity and I'm looking forward to going and supporting the boys."

The Manchester United Supporters' Trust has written to FA chief executive Mark Bullingham imploring him to make a venue switch.

Carrick says it is too late now.

"It is what it is," he said. "There's nothing that can be done about it. Hopefully, in years [that] go by, it can be played in the [main] stadium."

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Sunderland at Stadium of Light (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• The United interim head coach said securing Champions League football next season "is a really good step" for the club, but it's "not the end at all" so they won't be downing tools for the remaining three games.

• On what their motivation is now: "Pride, responsibility, playing for this great club, great supporters and really good togetherness in the group. It's about improving and evolving all the time."

• Carrick insisted "nothing has really changed" on where his future lies, but "clarity is important." He added: "I've said all along that I'm calm about it and it will get sorted out when it gets sorted out."

• He praised his squad for their strong "togetherness" despite some players having significantly less game time this season.

• On opponents Sunderland, who are pushing for a European spot: "It's really tight. They've had a fantastic season. It's not easy to come and get promoted and stay in the league, so to be in the top half and within touching distance of Europe is full credit to the season they've had."

• He said he has "not forgotten" playing the Black Cats and their supporters' reaction to United missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City in 2012. Carrick said: "It's in the past, but it definitely sticks in the memory."

Hit play above to hear more from Carrick or listen on BBC Sounds

Listen to live commentary of Sunderland v Manchester United on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 BST on Saturday.

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Man Utd? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Any Manchester United visit to Sunderland brings back memories of 13 May 2012.

It is a day etched into Premier League history thanks to Sergio Aguero's injury-time winner for Manchester City that won them the title.

United were on the pitch at Sunderland when it happened. Their game was finished. Wayne Rooney had scored the goal that brought the victory they needed.

Then, as news of Aguero's goal swept across the Stadium of Light, United's players had to listen to Sunderland's fans cheering their misfortune as well.

Sir Alex Ferguson was unhappy. Rooney too.

Black Cats fans reminded United of their misery earlier this season when they sang about it at Old Trafford.

The old rivalries with Liverpool, Manchester City and Leeds are well known. But Sunderland is a rivalry Manchester United fans didn't know they had – until May 2012.

Does facing Sunderland bring back memories of that day? What do you remember about it? And how does their reaction - on the day and earlier this season - make you feel?

Send us your comments here

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

The biggest story in Manchester United circles this week has been Manchester City's decision to host next Thursday's FA Youth Cup final at the 6,000-capacity Joie Stadium.

It is a move that has not gone down well within United's academy, with coaches, players and their families voicing their displeasure in public and private.

Carrick has been at all United's FA Youth Cup games since taking charge in January. His son, Jacey, is part of the club's under-16 squad and one of the players who has 'liked' criticism of City's decision on social media.

I wonder what Carrick will have to say about the decision himself at his news conference later on Thursday.

Carrick (second left in the image below) played in the 1999 final for West Ham - a team that also included Joe Cole beat Coventry City 9-0 across two games.

The games were played at Highfield Road and the Boleyn Ground, where over 20,000 fans turned up.

Come back to this page later on Thursday for all the key lines from Carrick.

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Sir Dave Brailsford's position on the Manchester United board has been ended.

Brailsford was appointed on 19 February 2024 in the wake of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's part-purchase of the club.

He was largely responsible for the wide-ranging changes that took place around the structures at United and also heavily involved in the £50m revamp of the Carrington training ground.

However, it was confirmed last summer Brailsford would step away from club duties to concentrate on his wider role as director of sport at Ineos and he has not been spotted at any United games this season.

Although Brailsford was still listed as a director in the match programme for the victory over Liverpool on 3 May, Companies House has confirmed Brailsford was "terminated" on 30 April.

Simon Stone
Manchester United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

A leading Manchester United fans group has written to FA chief executive Mark Bullingham imploring him to switch the venue of next week's Youth Cup final.

Manchester City are hosting the game but say it cannot be held at Etihad Stadium because of construction work taking place around their three remaining home Premier League games.

City rejected an offer by United to host the final at Old Trafford and have arranged the match for their Joie Stadium, which has a capacity of 6,000.

United have received 968 tickets for the game. BBC Sport has been told the allocation means they will not be able to accommodate all the requests from players' families for tickets.

It is known United academy staff and players are annoyed at the decision, which they feel potentially denies some players of the biggest match of their entire careers.

This is one of the points outlined by the Manchester United Supporters' Trust in their letter to Bullingham.

"We implore you to personally intervene in respect of the venue choice and/or scheduling of the FA Youth Cup Final," it says.

"The FA Youth Cup is one of your great competitions. Legends of the game have played in its final. For others, is the biggest match they will ever play in and a source of pride for life.

"In recent years, attendances have regularly been 20,000-30,000 or more, and when Old Trafford last hosted the game we saw a record crowd of 67,000 people.

"It is a shame beyond words that this year's match is set to be played in front of just 6,000 spectators. This lets down the players and lets down the supporters.

"This is your competition. We implore you to personally intervene to protect it, and bang heads together to allow this game to be played at a suitable venue. Whether this involves changing the date to allow City to host, forcing City to allow United to host on the original date, or going to a neutral stadium in the north-west.

"All three options should be considered."

Manchester United have no plans to reintegrate Marcus Rashford into their first-team squad next season if he returns from his loan at Barcelona. (Sun, external)

Meanwhile, Rashford remains determined to continue his spell with the Spanish club and play under manager Hansi Flick, despite uncertainty over his long-term future at United. (Teamtalk, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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