A win against the champions would be a big tick on Kevin Ball’s CV as the Sunderland board take the international break to appoint a replacement for Paolo Di Canio. The home side are still missing Steven Fletcher and need Jozy Altidore to start repaying the £8m spent on the American striker. Meanwhile, David Moyes needs all three points to stem the United in crisis narrative. Toby Moses

Kick-off Saturday 5.30pm

Venue Stadium of Light

Last season Sunderland 0 Man Utd 1

Live Sky Sports 1

Referee C Foy

This season G2, Y5, R0, 2.5 cards per game

Odds H 5-1 A 4-6 D 3-1

Sunderland

Subs from Mannone, Cabral, Wickham, Celustka, Vaughan, Karlsson, Diakité, Ba, Roberge, Ji, Borini, Mavrias

Doubtful None

Injured Dossena (thigh, 19 Oct), Fletcher (shoulder, Nov), Brown (calf, unknown)

Suspended None

Form LLLLDL

Discipline Y7 R1

Leading scorer Giaccherini 2

Manchester United

Subs from Lindegaard, Buttner, Evans, F da Silva, Januzaj, Anderson, Cleverley, Zaha, Giggs, Smalling, Kagawa, Valencia

Doubtful Ferdinand (groin), Rooney (shin), Van Persie (toe)

Injured Fletcher (bowel, unknown)

Suspended None

Form LLWLDW

Discipline Y13 R0

Leading scorers Rooney, Van Persie 3