01/05/2014 11:16 - ManUtd.com, Tim Oscroft
Preview: United v Sunderland
Form guide: Our 4-0 win over Norwich City lifted the spirits and gave Ryan Giggs the perfect start to his time as interim boss. Another victory could see United cut the gap on Tottenham, and if other results over the weekend are favourable, the possibility of fifth spot and a place in next season’s Europa League will remain open. Visitors Sunderland looked doomed a couple of weeks ago, but a draw at Manchester City, a win at Chelsea and the thrashing of Cardiff in a relegation six-pointer, have moved them out of the drop-zone with three games remaining.
Ins and outs: Rafael was ruled out of the Norwich game with an unspecified knock, and it remains to be seen if he will be available for the Black Cats' visit while Robin van Persie has yet to return from his sprained knee. Sunderland’s on-loan midfielder Ki Sung-yueng may have played his last game of the season, the South Korean having seen a specialist about tendonitis in his knee.
Last meeting: United beat the Black Cats 2-1 in the Capital One Cup semi-final in late January, but the scoreline barely scratches the surface of a dramatic night at Old Trafford. With United trailing by the same score after the first leg, the hosts levelled on aggregate thanks to a Jonny Evans goal in the first half but, when ex-Red Phil Bardsley’s shot slipped through David De Gea’s hands in the 119th minute, it looked all over bar the shouting. Javier Hernandez pounced seconds later to take the game to a penalty shoot-out, which the visitors won 2-1 when Rafael had his tame effort saved by Vito Mannone.*
The manager: Gus Poyet not only steadied the ship following Paulo Di Canio’s brief but turbulent reign, but he guided the Black Cats out of the relegation zone, won the Tyne-Wear derby at Newcastle and took his side to a Wembley final. But a slump in results in March and early April saw the spectre of the drop loom until the unexpected displays at City and Chelsea. Having played for Chelsea and Spurs, the Uruguayan has remained in England since hanging up his boots, coaching at Swindon, Leeds and Spurs before managing Brighton prior to his move to Sunderland.
Star man: Connor Wickham’s five goals in Sunderland's last three matches were the former Ipswich striker’s first for the club since a pair against MK Dons in the League Cup in August. He bagged eight in 11 outings on loan for Sheffield Wednesday, but had been ineffective after returning to the Stadium of Light from a spell with Leeds until his recent goal glut.*
Sub-plot: Ryan Giggs admitted that leaving out former team-mates was the toughest part of his new role, but after starting the Norwich game with Juan Mata on the bench, will the boss make some similarly big calls this week?*
Quote/Unquote: “We haven’t played to the level that we’re capable of this season, but we did that against Norwich. It can’t just be for one game, it has to be for longer than that. Every time you play for Manchester United you have to stay at that level, and they have to keep to these standards against Sunderland." Ryan Giggs.
Whistle-blower: Saturday’s match will be only the third time that World Cup final referee Howard Webb has taken charge of United this season.
Rivals watch: Tottenham, currently one place and six points ahead of United, are away at West Ham in the 12.45 BST kick-off on Saturday so the Reds will know if they can reel the North Londoners in further by the time they start against Sunderland. Fifth-placed Everton host title-chasing City at 17.30 BST on the same day.