Sunderland

Ruben Amorim hands deadline day arrival Senne Lammens his debut for Manchester United.

Lammens was an £18.1m signing from Royal Antwerp but has spent three games on the bench.

Mason Mount, Casemiro, Amad and Leny Yoro are all included as Matheus Cunha, Harry Maguire, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte drop to the bench.

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw, Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot, Mbeumo, Mount, Sesko. Substitutes: Bayindir, Maguire, Cunha, Zirkzee, Dorgu, Ugarte, Heaven, Leon, Mainoo.

Sunderland make two changes to the side that won at Nottingham Forest last week.

Bertrand Traore and Simon Adringa are both included as Chris Rigg and Chemsdine Talbi drop to the bench.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Masuaku, Alderete, Mukiele, Hume, Sadiki, Xhaka, Le Fee, Traore, Adringa, Isidor. Substitutes: Patterson, Neil, Ballard, Geertruida, Talbi, Brobbey, Rigg, Mayenda, O'Nein.

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

• Leeds United v Tottenham (12:30)

• Arsenal v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester United v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Chelsea v Liverpool (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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Sunderland fans should be thanking me, really, because I keep saying they will be beaten and Regis le Bris' side keep on proving me wrong.

So far, I've said the Black Cats will lose five of their six games. The other one was against Burnley in week two, where I went for a draw... and they suffered their only defeat of the season.

I am going to do the dirty on them this week, and I am going to predict they will win - which obviously means they won't - so apologies to all Sunderland supporters, because they must be absolutely furious with me for doing this.

I am not just backing them for the sake of it, clearly. They are extremely well organised and everything about them has been impressive.

Manchester United, on the other hand, are still a mess.

You can blame Ruben Amorim for that as much as you like but when your centre-half is running out and taking a chance on an offside on a long ball, like Harry Maguire did for Brentford's first goal last week, then that is just terrible defending.

That's where I feel for Amorim. Altay Bayindir should also have done better with Brentford's second goal and the goalkeeping situation is perplexing too - they have brought Senne Lammens in, but where is he?

It is just all muddled thinking at United and Amorim is starting to look like a guy who wants to be put out of his misery.

They are just not improving under him, although he might actually get a result here off the back of me saying Sunderland will win.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Under-fire Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim takes charge of his 50th fixture, with in-form Sunderland the opponents. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes before Saturday's match.

Amorim admitted his side need "more personality to control games" following last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Brentford, a result which means United remain without back-to-back league wins during his tenure. But the 40-year-old rejected claims his 3-4-2-1 formation is not working, insisting "when we win it's not the system, when we lose it's the system".

Nonetheless, the error-strewn performance in west London ramps up the pressure to beat newly promoted Sunderland.

It is the type of fixture in which Amorim's United have generally been able to make their class tell. While the Red Devils have won just seven Premier League games this calendar year, that includes all four meetings with newly promoted opposition. However, the Black Cats' strong start to the season means this match is anything but a formality.

If United can win, there will be one positive omen for Amorim. None of the club's previous five managers won their 50th game in charge, with the last to do so Sir Alex Ferguson in 1987.

Lucky omen for Black Cats?

Sunderland head to Manchester buoyed by last weekend's victory at Nottingham Forest and vying for back-to-back top-flight away wins – a feat they last achieved, coincidentally, courtesy of a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in May 2014.

Seb Larsson scored the winner that day, earning the Wearsiders their only victory away to United since 1968 and effectively ensuring survival for Gus Poyet's team.

Staying up looks an increasingly realistic prospect for the current crop of players. This is the Black Cats' 17th season in the Premier League but the first in which their points tally has been in double figures after six games. They have not made a better start to a top-flight campaign for 70 years.

Regis le Bris' men are only the seventh promoted side to reach 11 points at this stage of a Premier League season – the other six all stayed up.

Dan Roan
Sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

A decision on whether to scrap the Premier League's controversial Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and adopt an "alternative system" is "coming up", says chief executive Richard Masters.

The current regulations, introduced in 2015-16 to prevent clubs from overspending, allow losses of £105m over a three-year reporting cycle.

However, they have been criticised by several top-flight teams for limiting their ability to invest.

BBC Sport has been told a decision on any changes is likely to be made at a meeting in November.

In February, clubs chose to continue with PSR for the current season.

However a squad cost ratio (SCR) system of financial control was adopted by the Premier League on a shadowing, non-binding basis.

SCR is similar to Uefa's existing financial rules and allows clubs to spend up to a percentage of their total revenues on squad-related costs.

Nine of the league's 20 clubs already have to comply with Uefa's SCR as a result of qualifying for Europe. Both Chelsea and Aston Villa were fined by Uefa in July for breaching the rules.

Asked about SCR at the Leaders sports conference in London, Masters said: "We are talking to our clubs about an alternative system. That's not to say we don't think the PSR system works."

He added: "It's about closer alignment with European regulation, which is squad cost ratio, which is a revenue test. In Uefa, it's now set at 70%. Our system will be 85% because we always want our clubs to have the ability to invest.

"The Premier League has been built on the back of investment in which international capital flows [are] coming in. We don't want that to be to be stifled off."

Read more here

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Old Trafford (15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Le Bris dismissed speculation that Nordi Mukiele is a doubt for the trip to Manchester, saying the defender is "OK" before adding he has no other injury concerns.

• On maintaining his squad's culture amid a raft of summer signings: "We don't start from scratch - the identity of the club is already there. The new lads bring a new energy and style of play. The connection is really good."

• On being nominated for the Premier League manager of the month award: "It is a pleasure because it means our collective performance is positive at the minute. We want to be competitive. It's positive as a manager because I'm the man that speaks with you but it's a collective effort. Everyone has their own role. It's important to value even small tasks."

• How much potential does goalkeeper Robin Roefs have?: "We don't know. He starts at a really high level and he's really balanced, which means he can manage different events and scenarios. He can get different opportunities with the ball as well so we are happy to have a goalkeeper like that in our squad."

• He is pleased with his side's start to the season: "The most important thing is the points. If we win points, it means we are competitive. We started with a specific identity. We want to defend well and as a unit. We are ready to suffer together. If the foundations are strong, after that you can express yourself with the ball. It wasn't our best part at Nottingham. We can improve this area."

• On United's current form: "I don't know exactly because my focus is only on us. Every weekend, we analyse our opponent with just a short focus to try and find the right way to manage their strengths and how they can create danger. I don't have a specific opinion about the club. It is a huge club with a big history and strong players. They'll be hard to beat."

• Le Bris said the Black Cats have no fear visiting Old Trafford: "We want to express our ideas, our football and our identity. If the opponent is stronger than us, we will respect that but without any regrets at the end. This is our identity."

Listen to Le Bris on BBC Sounds

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

Listen to live commentary of Man Utd v Sunderland on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra from 15:00 BST on Saturday

Image source, Getty Images

Marco Gabbiadini says Sunderland's start to the season "could not have been better."

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, the former Black Cats striker said Sunderland have "absolutely nailed" getting points on the board.

"To be fifth in the table is a hugely impressive start to the season," Gabbiadini said.

"They all deserve credit. Everyone who comes off the bench is having an impact. They're all coming on and passing the baton from the person who's just come off.

"The manager has got options. He's making substitutions after an hour and keeping it fresh. Lots of good positive vibes coming from the whole situation.

"We didn't know how this was going to go. We signed a lot of players early in the window so they were already settled and we gradually added to that. There's a good core of last season's players who I'm sure have had a huge impact in that.

"It's a dream start. I don't think there's many Sunderland fans who would have put us down for this many points. We've been fortunate in the teams we've played - many of them are in the lower half of the table.

"But you still have to go out and win. We've frustrated a lot of teams this season."

Listen to the full clip on BBC Sounds

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The good times just keep on coming for those of a Sunderland persuasion, and right now I'm on cloud nine.

Saturday was another brilliant occasion for us and we were fantastic value for our three points at Ange Postecoglou's Nottingham Forest.

I said it after the summer transfer window, and I'll say it again - Sunderland have not come up to make up the numbers.

All talk of relegation is off the table, replaced by talk of taking games one at a time and seeing each as an opportunity to win. It doesn't matter who the opponent is, we want to beat them. Simple as that.

Forest have some unbelievable players. You can see why they qualified for Europe this season because they had fantastic options on the pitch and on the bench for Postecoglou to call upon.

But whether it was Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi, or Chris Wood, Sunderland's solid defence kept them at bay. Another clean sheet and another three points - and we are rapidly developing a reputation as a side opponents struggle to take apart.

I'm getting fed up with rival fans telling us we have had an easy start. We are yet to face Manchester City, Liverpool or Arsenal, but our past three games have been against Forest, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, all of whom are in Europe.

Two of those games were away, one of them against a Palace side now unbeaten in 18 matches and who defeated Liverpool on Saturday. And we went there and kept a clean sheet.

Write us off at your peril. I have no doubts we will keep on proving people wrong. Sunderland are doing much better than anyone expected, and for that we deserve all the credit in the world.

Next up is a trip to Old Trafford, and you have to wonder what the mood in their camp is like and whether they are looking forward to facing us or not.

We go there with nothing to lose and an unbreakable spirit, and that makes us a horrible prospect for a struggling Manchester United.

As crazy as it feels to write, I actually fancy us to go there and get something.

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

Former England captain Steph Houghton says the way they have started this season in the Premier League "has been super impressive" because of "the energy and fight".

After six games, the Black Cats sit in fifth with 11 points and only one defeat.

"They were defending for their lives [against Nottingham Forest] but I love the fact they are loving doing that," Houghton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"They have accepted that they probably won't be able to play the football that they want to play away from home.

"Regis le Bris has brought in quality who don't have a lot of Premier League experience, other than Granit Xhaka, but he is anchoring that midfield and getting his experience across to the younger players.

"The energy and fight has been unbelievable. I don't think anyone could have dreamed about the start. They have been super impressive."

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Noel Sliney
BBC Sport

Sunderland's hot start has been a topic of query on our 'Ask Me Anything' form. Some of you want to know just how good this early season form is in a historical context for the club.

This is Sunderland's 17th season in the Premier League but the first in which they've reached a double figure points tally after six games.

It's their strongest start to a top-flight campaign since similarly registering three wins and two draws from their opening six league fixtures in 1967-68. You have to go back 70 years to find the last time Sunderland made a better start in the top division – they won four of their first six league matches, and six of eight, en route to finishing ninth in 1955-56.

Sunderland are only the seventh promoted side to reach 11 points at this stage of a Premier League season – the other six all stayed up.

Prior to this season, the Black Cats hadn't won a Premier League match in 25 attempts in the months of August and September since beating Wigan in September 2012. This time around, they already have three victories going into October.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Sunderland.

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

John: After Wednesday's good away performance in Spain, my expectations against Sunderland at home were high. But with a very changed team Forest never got going. The refereeing was suspect, with several poor booking decisions including protests about the goal - but we need to do better with these new players. It was a very disappointing result after last season and Nuno's departure.

Peter: It remains early days but there is a worrying theme developing with Ange which is either suspect team selection, baffling substitutions, or both. Forest have some excellent players, but as a team we look like a Championship side. Ange says he has nothing to prove - well I for one sincerely hope he has.

Mike: Awful. Players seem confused, as were we in the stands. Schoolboy stuff. Out-thought and out-fought by a streetwise opposition. Ange has to go.

Tony: 18 months creating a winning team, destroyed in 18 days by an egomaniac with no idea.

Sunderland fans

Phil: Critics of the club have been silenced by the astute, decisive action in the close season transfer market, with Xhaka and Mukiele in particular being brilliant signings. Regis le Bris and his team are building a squad fit for the Premier League. It's intriguing that there's relatively little comment about Sunderland on the big phone-ins etc; we're just quietly going about our business and getting results. Long may it continue!

Bry: Alderete has been the touch of class and composure at the back we've missed. Tie that to a top keeper and several other excellent signings and we are going to shake the world this season.

Scott: What a performance. The manager knows what to do. The players know what to do. We have strength off the bench. I am excited to see where we can finish this season.

Simon: To have lost only once in the first six games is some achievement but the fixtures have been kind so much tougher challenges ahead. Points on the board though!

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland have taken a combined 23 points from their opening six games, making it the best start to a Premier League season by the promoted sides since 2017-18.

In fact, only five times in Premier League history have the promoted sides made a better start to a season.

Sunderland have made the best start of the three, accruing 11 points from their opening six games, which is the most any promoted side has taken in 13 years, since West Ham United did the same in 2012-13.

So why have this season's trio started so much better than Leicester City, Ipswich and Southampton 12 months ago?

Because they have been much more successful at keeping Premier League opposition at bay, conceding eight fewer goals and giving up 32 fewer chances between them.

While this season's promoted sides haven't actually created much more than last season's trio, they have been more clinical so far, scoring three more goals despite only taking nine more shots and generating a similar quality of chances in terms of expected goals.

So after years of conventional wisdom telling us that a reliable goalscorer was the key to surviving in the Premier League, might Burnley, Leeds and Sunderland prove that defensive solidity is actually more important?

Pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday’s Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool

• Nottingham Forest 0-1 Sunderland

Image source, AFP via Getty Images

Sunderland fans happily stuck around long after the final whistle to celebrate a first away in the Premier League since 2017.

In the intervening eight years, they have dropped down to League One but have built themselves back up again and already look like they belong in the top flight just six games into their return.

They had to soak up a lot of pressure, particularly in a second half Forest dominated, but ultimately it was the ideal top-flight away performance as they dug in after taking the lead to secure another three points.

Granit Xhaka continued to prove what an astute acquisition he has been with a dominant display in midfield while in Robin Roefs they have a goalkeeper who is time and again frustrating the opposition with some outstanding saves.

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland fans happily stuck around long after the final whistle to celebrate a first away win in the Premier League since 2017.

In the intervening eight years, they dropped down to League One but have managed to build themselves back up again and already look like they belong in the top-flight just six games into their return.

They had to soak up a lot of pressure, particularly in a second half that Nottingham Forest dominated, but ultimately it was the ideal top-flight away performance as they dug in after taking the lead to secure another three points.

Granit Xhaka continued to prove what an astute acquisition he has been, with a dominant display in midfield, while in Robin Roefs they have a goalkeeper who is time and again frustrating the opposition with some outstanding saves.

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side claimed all three points against Nottingham Forest: "It is good to win because it wasn't an easy challenge away from and it is our first win away in the league, so I'm really proud for our fans, the group and the squad because we worked hard.

"Against a squad like that, if you depend on an open block then they will kill you. It was clear in our game-plan. We expected to be more comfortable - or a bit more confident - with the ball, so that's one of our points to improve next week."

On whether he expected his team to have to defend so much: "Yes because they have many threats. They are really good on the ball and with their substitutes they added three, four or five more attackers.

"It wasn't something unexpected. We defended well. We were really well connected and we were working hard, with a good goalkeeper behind us."

On goalkeeper Robin Roefs: "We know in this situation that he can make these saves, but he needs a block to make it hard because otherwise it's a 1v1 and that wasn't the case tonight."

On captain Granit Xhaka: "We need a captain like that, definitely. He gives us so much confidence and he can manage the rhythm. He is really good on the ball and he understands like a future coach I think."

Goalkeeper Robin Roefs also spoke to BBC Match of the Day after the match: "What an evening. We showed mentality and we showed we give everything on the pitch. With this mentality, I think we can achieve a lot."

On how the defence stood tall in the second half: "To be honest with you, I didn't really feel like they were going to score even if we played on one hour more. So many balls came in the box and the guys fought for every ball and did so well."

On what it has been like since joining Sunderland: "I am really happy with the start from us as a team, but also from me. I'm happy to help the team.

"I did know it was a club with a big history. I was told before I got here that the fans would be really great in home games, but that even in away games they show massive support. They pushed us to the win tonight.

"There's a really long way to go, we are just a few games in, but we have to celebrate every good moment and move on to the next one."

Did you know?

• Sunderland are unbeaten in four Premier League games (W2 D2) and they will end the day in the top four of the top-flight after five or more games for the first time since 30 March 2001.

• The Black Cats' 11 points from their opening six Premier League games this season (W3 D2 L1) is their most at this stage in a top-flight season since 1967-68.

Hear from Chemsdine Talbi and more from Le Bris on BBC Sounds

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

Have your say on Forest's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Ange Postecoglou makes five changes for his first home game as Nottingham Forest manager.

James McAtee makes his first Premier League start for the club, while Nicolas Dominguez starts for the first time this season.

Chris Wood returns in attack, while Dilane Bakwa and Dan Ndoye also come into the first XI.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Williams, Milenkovic, Morato, Zinchenko, Dominguez, Anderson, McAtee, Bakwa, Ndoye, Wood

Substitutes: John, Sangare, Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Kalimuendo, Igor Jesus, Hutchinson, Yates, Jair Cunha

There is just one change for Sunderland as Arthur Masuaku makes his first Premier League start, coming in for the suspended Reinildo.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Masuaku, Xhaka, Sadiki, Rigg, Le Fee, Adingra, Isidor

Substitutes: Patterson, Neil, Ballard, Geertruida, Brobbey, Mayenda, O'Nien, Adingra, Traore

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

• Brentford v Manchester United (12:30)

• Chelsea v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Crystal Palace v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leeds United v Bournemouth

• Manchester City v Burnley

• Nottingham Forest v Sunderland (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Tottenham v Wolves (20:00)

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 Crystal Palace v Liverpool" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Nottingham Forest v Sunderland", for instance.

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

A lot has been made of how new Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou is still waiting for his first win, and he has got another tough game on his hands here.

I was so impressed by Sunderland's display with 10 men in last weekend's draw with Aston Villa. They were superbly organised.

The Black Cats are without injured midfielder Habib Diarra but they will still be difficult to break down and will fancy their chances of extending their four-game unbeaten run.

Based on form, they should probably get something from this but I am going against the grain here, and I am going to say Big Ange will get over the line and get the result he wants.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here