FA Premier League

Sunderland 0:0 Manchester United

Stadium of Light

Kick-off
Sat, 9 May 2026 @ 3:00pm BST
Status

Closed

Discussion Your Lineup Prediction

  • Status
    Not open for further replies.
    HookedOnAPhelan said:
    Just about everybody's been shite. When that happens I tend to look at the coach.
    Click to expand...
    It's these type of games which I think define a manager rather than games against Liverpool, arsenal, city etc.

    Can you come away with three points when your team sluggish and lethargic?

    Also id replace Zirzkee with a workman like striker. Anyone who can work the channels, hold up the ball up and move defenders out of position would be better than what Zirzkee provides.

    There was a discussion earlier on "do we need a striker" thread and Darwin Nunez was mentioned. Some think he's a donkey. Some think he works really hard but not best finisher. I'm in the latter group. Id have a backup to Sesko who worked hard even though he wasnt the best finisher.
     
    MonkeysMagic said:
    Half of this 11 should not be retained, even as sub options. I'm afraid they are not good enough for PL football and we should try to get some transfer fees for them, whilst we can!
    Click to expand...
    What would you do with the other five and half players?
     
    Blood Mage said:
    Gonna be a tough slog under Carrick next season I think unless we have an amazing transfer window.
    Click to expand...
    With Zirkzee up top, Amad sliding all over the place, Cunha MIA, Mount in a new role and Martinez coming back in I don’t think you can expect too much.

    Bring Mbeumo and Dorgu for Zirkzee and Cunha.
     
    edgecutter said:
    Squad is lacking in central midfield
    Click to expand...

    Bruno has spent half the season playing CM and had many very good games. Just play a flat midfield three.

    Carricks just made bad choices today. Heaven in form, you don't take a player in form out of the lineup to accommodate a rusty older player.
     
    We need to realise that recently our opening goal comes from a set piece or penalty. That can often calm things down and allow us to play a bit.

    Without Casemiro’s goal threat, this team is seriously challenged in scoring. If it’s not Bruno or Cunha, then it’s Maguire and outside that I don’t see anything happening for us.
     
    BarryWinks said:
    He has no talent whatsoever.
    Click to expand...
    That's not true. He'll probably go back to Serie A and look like prime Bergkamp there, but he's woefully unsuited to any kind of physical, intense PL game.
     
    One day that Bruno hasn't done much and we have not created a single chance all half. Mount, Mainoo, Cunha, Amad etc should be able to do a bit more.
     
    Meh

    When you have 1 player in midfield things turn to shite. No real surprise

    Very lucky to be level. I'm not even going to be too harsh on the players, plenty of them have been poor but we don't have any shape.

    3 midfielders needed in the summer, not 2.
     
    Football like life is an interesting reminder that someone worse than you talent wise is probably better placed in life because of whatever lucky breaks fell their way.

    There are strikers in this league playing for bottom half teams who are better than Zirkzee. Hell there are strikers better than him in the Championship.
     
    Poor half by United lucky to be level or be it a lot of huffing and puffing by Sunderland offensively. 5 changes to the starting 11 was too many, United simply don't have strength in depth. Needs to be busy in summer ahead to improve the squad next season.

    Hopefully improvement 2nd half in this match.
     
    Zirkzee is one of those players that gets better everytime he doesn't play.

    Not cut out for the league and never has been.
     
    Carrick has gotten this all wrong. Should have been
    ------------Zirkzee
    Dorgu---Cunha---Amad
    -------Mainoo-Bruno
     
    The scene that perfectly represented the first half for me was when shortly before half time United once again launched a very half-arsed pressing attempt on Sunderland, and Zirkzee couldn't be arsed to track the opposing player jogging past him and instead he just pointed at him in a "hey, somebody track that guy" sort of manner. You can imagine how well that press went.

    Dire first half. Second one can only get better, some people need their shins kicked in the cabin.
     
    Poor half of football for us. We're being dominated by Sunderland, mainly because I feel like there's zero aggression in our game. Obviously massively missing Casemiro in midfield, but also up front Zirkzee has been a non entity. It's very frustrating watching a guy with that big frame look terrified to get involved in any sort of physical battle. Hadn't covered himself in glory on the ball either.

    Not sure what we can change for the second half as our squad is pretty thin with some key players missing. I'd probably replace Zirkzee with Mbeumo at the very least though.
     
    ManhattanRed said:
    Think people need to take a collective deep breath. Its a meaningless game and we all know the limitations of the squad, especially with a couple of key players out. Should still be playing better but it’s not a huge deal.
    Click to expand...
    I agree. Mount is playing essentially as a 6 when he is a 10 so the midfield was always going to be weaker. Zirkzee as well is a major downgrade on Sesko in his ball winning skills.

    There have been some OK moments but we have looked leggy. Mainoo has been a virtually passenger and we are struggling with Brobbey 's hold up play and Talbi's speed against Maz. I actually think we've done alright to be level at half time. We have dropped intensity and we shouldn't but after securing CL football everyone knows this game is now less important so it will factor in on the players. Hopefully we can see a better level of intensity in the second half and hope Sunderland drop off. Could still win this.
     
    Mount has absolutely nothing to offer this team. We need to sign 3 midfielders minimum this summer.
     
    This has been poor so far, and it feels like we are lucky not to have gone into the half time break behind. Need a much improved second half
     
    Disappointed we didn't include Lacey, however expected it due to his involvement in the game last night
     
    Mount is playing far too deep. We’re too desperate to get Fernandes that record that shape of team is compromised
     
    How do we not have a proper striker besides Sesko?
     
    Mbeumo on for Zirkzee. And Dorgu for Amad.

    Besides that I think we are missing a "number 6" in this match.
     
    Smores said:
    Bruno has spent half the season playing CM and had many very good games. Just play a flat midfield three.

    Carricks just made bad choices today. Heaven in form, you don't take a player in form out of the lineup to accommodate a rusty older player.
    Click to expand...
    This is what I’ve been saying Carrick is too wedded to his 4231. We were being over ran in midfield. Why not switch to a 433 and bulk out the midfield? I like Carrick but his lack of tactical awareness is mind boggling.

    We’ll be humiliated in the CL next season with these amateur tactics.
     
    BarryWinks said:
    Football like life is an interesting reminder that someone worse than you talent wise is probably better placed in life because of whatever lucky breaks fell their way.

    There are strikers in this league playing for bottom half teams who are better than Zirkzee. Hell there are strikers better than him in the Championship.
    Click to expand...
    Maguire is a better striker.
     
    Smores said:
    Bruno has spent half the season playing CM and had many very good games. Just play a flat midfield three.
    Click to expand...

    Bruno was terrible overall in the CM position but has been excellent since Carrick switched him back to his actual position.
     
    Ollie Derbyshire said:
    I’ve no idea why people harp on about Zirkzee having talent, the guys just awful in everything he does.
    Click to expand...
    He plays like that meme of the family guy character walking slow in the school hallway
     
    V.O. said:
    That's not true. He'll probably go back to Serie A and look like prime Bergkamp there, but he's woefully unsuited to any kind of physical, intense PL game.
    Click to expand...
    That’s a seriously ridiculous comparison, Zirkzee’s not fit to lace his boots.
     
    Seriously need at least 5 players to come in when the transfer window opens. That squad will not be anywhere near top 4 next year when Cas goes.
     
    Status
    Not open for further replies.
Post-match discussion

Man of the Match

Senne Lammens image Senne Lammens 92% of 150 votes

Runners-up

Show more results

Player Ratings

5.2 Total Average Rating

Highest Rated Player

Lowest Rated Player

Compiled from 123 ratings.
Submit your ratings
View full results

Score Predictions

89,12,14
  • Man Utd win
  • Sunderland win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 26% Sunderland 1:2 Man Utd
  • 18% Sunderland 0:2 Man Utd
  • 14% Sunderland 1:3 Man Utd
  • 12% Sunderland 0:3 Man Utd
  • 8% Sunderland 1:1 Man Utd
  • 6% Sunderland 2:1 Man Utd
  • 4% Sunderland 2:2 Man Utd
  • 3% Sunderland 2:3 Man Utd
  • 2% Sunderland 0:1 Man Utd
  • 2% Sunderland 3:1 Man Utd
  • 2% Sunderland 2:0 Man Utd
  • 1% Sunderland 2:4 Man Utd
  • 1% Sunderland 0:4 Man Utd
  • 1% Sunderland 0:5 Man Utd
  • 1% Sunderland 1:0 Man Utd
Compiled from 115 predictions.
Show more results Score Predictions League Table

Man Utd Lineup

Substitutes

Lineup Predictions League Table View your Lineup Prediction