Sunderland

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

If any side deserved to win, it was Sunderland.

Regis le Bris' side have now kept 11 clean sheets - an impressive return for a newly promoted side, and a major reason why they have stayed well clear of relegation trouble and even flirted with the European spots. On this occasion, they deserve more praise because key man Dan Ballard was missing through suspension.

What they lack is a clinical edge.

Lutsharel Geertruida's shot was impressive, but it was Noah Sadiki who should have scored.

The game was still in its infancy when the Manchester United goal gaped in front of him. But he never truly looked as though he would come out on top in his one-to-one duel with Lammens. Sadiki tried to find the corner, but Senne Lammens read where the Congo international was going to go.

For the final couple of weeks, Sunderland's ambition will be to finish above Newcastle, who are three points behind with a game in hand.

After that, Le Bris will look to improve on what has been a solid and very successful top-flight return.

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We probably created enough chances to win the game, but chances don't always mean goals. When we got the momentum and the chances, we weren't clinical enough.

"The Premier League is very demanding so when you don't score, you are always on the edge. But, overall, I think the lads did well.

"We have many young lads so it is about experience and maturity, I think, in terms of finishing chances off. For example, Noah [Sadiki]'s one in the first half was brilliant, but it wasn't the usual situation for him so he wasn't so confident, but I think it's going to be a good platform for the future."

On getting a clean sheet: "It was important to be back to our foundations. Over the past two weeks, the boys were excellent during our training sessions. They were committed with a strong togetherness, and we are always hard to beat when we have this mindset. I think it's a positive for our future as well.

"We were well-prepared for this game. We know that every team has many game changes in this league, especially Manchester United, so if you're not alert then they will punish you. From the last game at home, it was tough but the experience was useful."

On finding a solution to replace Dan Ballard: "We aren't a big group but the core of this group is really good. We have versatility and the ability to adapt. We also showed that even if we need to change our backline, we can be strong."

On being frustrated with only getting a draw: "It is a good sign, especially for our first year in the Premier League after eight years. It's good, it shows our season has been excellent so far. If we're disappointed at home after a draw against Manchester United, it is a good sign for the club."

Listen to Le Bris on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Sunderland have earned 48 points in the Premier League this season (W12 D12 L12), only earning more in a campaign in the competition in 1999-00 (58) and 2000-01 (57).

• Sunderland have failed to score in 13 of their 36 games - only Wolves (19) and Nottingham Forest (14) have failed to score more often in the Premier League this season.

• Only against Everton in November and Newcastle in March (both 17) have Sunderland attempted more shots in a Premier League match this season than their 15 against Manchester United.

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.

Image source, Getty Images

If you offered Sunderland fans the chance to be safely mid-table with three games to spare in the Premier League season, they would have bitten your hand off.

With relegation long out of the question and recent form making European qualification increasingly unlikely, Regis Le Bris' side don't have much resting on their final matches.

One player to watch in the run-in, though, is former Ballon D'or nominee Granit Xhaka, who is in the debate for signing of the season.

The Swiss midfielder has dictated play and used his experience to lead Sunderland, but has contributed less in front of goal - only scoring once this season in November's draw with Everton.

However, Xhaka holds an impressive record against Saturday's opponents Manchester United (15:00 BST). He has scored more goals from outside the area against them - three - than anyone else.

Could the former Arsenal midfielder add to his tally of screamers against Michael Carrick's side on Saturday, or will the Black Cats extend their 28-match winless run against sides starting the day in the top four of the Premier League (D9 L19)?

You have to go back as far as the Gus Poyet days with a 2-1 win against Chelsea in April 2014 for the last time Sunderland beat a top four team.

BBC Radio Newcastle's Simon Pryde and former striker Marco Gabbiadini discuss the winners at the Sunderland Supporters Association end of season awards.

Gabbiadini said: "I think player of the season awards are really important. I managed to have a couple of those and it's something I look back on with great pride because a football season is a long time.

"That consistency, always having the right attitude, turning up and not letting your standards slip, is really important. Most of the players do that but you have to have a bit of a standout too."

The former Sunderland striker said Granit Xhaka, who was named Player of the Year, has been "absolutely brilliant" and hopes he's "got a few more years in him".

Robin Roefs was named Young Player of the Year and Gabbiadini added: "I think Chris Rigg has had an impact on the season to do what he has done in the Premier League but Roefs obviously has played a lot more games and especially early in the season, he was a revelation. I think he earned the trust of his manager and the rest of the team."

Hear the full list of winners, including goal of the season, below or listen on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Success in Europe for Aston Villa and Crystal Palace has a knock-on impact on what Premier League finish may be required to qualify for continental competition next season.

A host of clubs can still dream of a European adventure but the picture is ever changing.

Given the complexity, BBC Sport has unpicked the latest permutations on what might be required to play in Europe next season

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

Image source, Getty Images

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says set-pieces have "always been important," but "teams do their homework" now to minimise the threat of them.

How clubs score and defend set-pieces has been an ongoing topic of conversation this season, with the majority of teams now having a dedicated set-piece coach and style.

"You used to rely on the commitment of players, in terms of putting their bodies on the line and jumping into situations," said Gabbiadini to BBC Radio Newcastle. "I think the height differences were different as well [in the past] as the average height of a Premier League footballer is over six-foot.

"You now have the situation where everyone is pretty decent so who do you mark?

"Set pieces come down to chance. Sunderland scored quite a lot from them in the first third of the season and now it's dropped off a little bit.

"One of my jobs as a goalscorer was to try and get on the end of things and for corners, the manager wanted me to be free and find where the gap is. You could make the same run for 20 games and not get on the end of it, but then get to it three games in a row, so there is so much chance involved."

On why Sunderland have become less of a threat from set-pieces as the season has gone on, Gabbiadini said: "The delivery and the way the players can shape the ball now does cause defenders a problem.

"Sunderland's corners have never been among the best and they have always struggled to put a good ball in. That's an area that you could argue they need to do better in.

"I think Regis le Bris is right in that teams do evolve through a season and other teams do their homework.

"They have worked out what Sunderland were doing early doors from set-pieces and you have always got to stay ahead of the game.

"It's like long-throws. Less teams are doing them now because teams have worked out how to defend them.

"You've got to find that extra one per cent all the time."

Listen to Gabbiadini on BBC Sounds or by clicking play on the clip below

Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist

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

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Apart from Romaine Mundle and suspended Dan Ballard, everyone is available confirmed Le Bris.

• The Sunderland boss admitted they are disappointed the appeal against Ballard's red card was rejected because the "situation was a bit unclear". He added: "I do think he tried to grab the shirt and in the duel, unfortunately, long hair got caught. It wasn't intentional and the law is the law so I understand the referee at one point but, at the same time, I think the rule, it's a bit unclear."

• On whether there is an opportunity for Lutsharel Geertruida: "Yes, it is an opportunity because we have had different options this season. He is versatile, a bit like Trai [Hume] so it's really useful for us because when we need somebody ready to play as a midfielder, left-sided centre-back, right-back, he can manage different positions."

• He was also asked about their outside chance of European football: "At the minute, it's really important to stay humble because I don't know if we started to dream after a good period, but as soon as you drop your level just by 10 per cent, the league is so demanding that you can't stay alive in the game."

• Before facing a "challenging" opponent in Manchester United, Le Bris said: "The players like a challenge, to be just on the edge, to show how good they can be. But it's also a question of togetherness, the connection between players and managing key moments."

• Le Bris said being "really disciplined, well-connected" and to work hard is key, as well as being "bold and creative" because "if you don't move, disturb the opponent, they will play in their comfort zone and I don't think we can play like that if we want to be competitive". He added they have to show "the best version of Sunderland".

• On what the fans can bring: "We have to be aligned and it starts from us, the way we play and for that you have key moments in games. Sometimes you suffer, you need support to contain the opponent because it's hard and when you can generate momentum, you can switch the dynamic of the game if you feel the energy."

• On summer rumours and planning: "Transfer rumours are a consequence of the strong season and I think it's positive. We want to see the situation like that. We want stability, it's really clear. After that, the market is the market, with different events, opportunities. We will see but stability will be key."

Hit play above to hear more from Le Bris or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to full 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 Sunderland? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Sunderland, Brentford and Celtic are interested in Soufiane El-Faouzi after the midfielder helped Schalke win Bundesliga 2, with some suitors ready to pay more than £11m for the 23-year-old German. (Sky Sports, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nick Barnes
BBC Radio Newcastle's Sunderland commentator

Potential interest in Brian Brobbey has been the subject of several questions sent in via our 'Ask about Sunderland' form recently.

There will doubtless be a lot of interest in Sunderland's players this summer following their successful Premier League campaign and the recruitment success of last summer's transfer window.

Sunderland has cannily tied most of their players to five year deals which works in both parties favour but especially the club who have no need to sell. However it's widely believed they will sell a marquee player in the next window if they are offered a significant sum.

Will it be Brian Brobbey? With forwards being in such high demand and Sunderland having struggled to recruit forwards in the past few seasons it would seem reasonable to assume Brobbey is not someone they would want to lose though undoubtedly there will be interest in the Dutch striker.

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.

Find out more here

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland's mathematical safety in the Premier League was confirmed with the point at Wolves on Saturday, yet the potential of what this team can achieve when they put their minds to it has had me lusting for even more recently - and that's left me in a rather strange position as I sit here now.

Eighth place might be enough for a place in the Conference League, and we're only three points behind with two games coming up against teams around us in the table, so it's not completely out of reach... but we need to take something off Manchester United next weekend if we're going to stand any chance.

To do that, we really need to treat these three matches like cup finals - one game at a time, of course, but if we can pick up points, then we'll at least give ourselves a chance going into the final weekend of the season with something to play for, and that should be the goal for us all.

So the manager, the coaches, the players and the fans have to get on the same page this week. I don't think we can manufacture the 'feeling', but we all have a part to play in giving ourselves the best chance of making it happen.

What's the point in writing ourselves off? If we beat Manchester United next weekend - a tall order but not completely unrealistic - then everyone will be feeling really positive about our chances.

It effectively makes those games against Everton and Chelsea six-pointers, as we'd stand half a chance of catching them in the table and moving ahead, and that simply has to be the aim.

We aren't on the beach yet. If anyone is talking about the season being over now, I'd urge them to save that chatter for after the next game, when I imagine the picture of where things are headed will be very clear.

This club has taken us on a magical ride over the past 12 months. It would be foolish to rule out something else really daft happening before the campaign ends.

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

Former Sunderland winger Martin Smith has had his say on Dan Ballard's sending off at Wolves for a hair pull on Tolu Arokodare.

Smith told BBC Radio Newcastle: "It's not intentional. You're grappling with players and you don't know what you're grabbing. You haven't got a second to think.

"That should be it, the managers should be saying to strikers 'I want your hair growing for that reason'!

"That's not intentional by Ballard and if it happens again and it's not intentional, you're going off."

Ex-Newcastle defender John Anderson added "sometimes common sense needs to be shown".

Hear the chat in full below or listen on BBC Sounds

Former Sunderland captain Gary Bennett says Regis le Bris will have been disappointed his side conceded from a set-piece in the 1-1 draw at Wolves.

Bennett told BBC Radio Newcastle: "I think overall they've got to be happy with that point, especially when you're down to 10 men coming to Wolves.

"They'll be disappointed about the goal they conceded from a set-piece. I think that has been a concern. Early on in the season we defended very well from set-pieces, recently we have been conceding goals - last Friday night against Nottingham Forest and again against Wolves. Regis le Bris will be disappointed about conceding from a set-piece."

Hear the conversation in full below or listen on BBC Sounds

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

Bournemouth have claimed the edge in the battle for sixth place in the Premier League - and what could be the strangest Champions League spot yet.

The in-form Cherries' 3-0 win over Crystal Palace helped them overtake Brentford into that position.

Sixth will earn a Europa League place at the very least, with some of the contenders having never qualified for Europe before.

However, both elements needed for sixth place to become a Champions League spot seem quite plausible.

Aston Villa would need to finish in fifth, exactly where they currently reside, and win the Europa League. They trail Nottingham Forest 1-0 after the semi-final first leg, but they are at home for Thursday's return leg.

This scenario will only play out if Villa finish fifth - and not in the top four or below fifth - because of a quirk in Uefa's rules.

The Premier League landed a fifth Champions League place because of the English teams' performances in Europe - something called the European Performance Spot (EPS).

So if Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth, that EPS spot would be passed down to the team in sixth, who would qualify for the Champions League.

However if Villa finish in the top four, winning the Europa League would make no difference to any other English team and the sixth-placed finisher would qualify for the Europa League.

With Aston Villa six points clear in fifth, sixth place appears to be the highest any of the other teams could finish.

At the moment, Bournemouth are on 52 points - one point clear of Brentford, who are one point above Brighton.

The Cherries and the Bees have never played in European competition before, while the Seagulls' only Uefa campaign was in the 2023-24 Europa League.

Chelsea are four points behind Bournemouth, but they have a game in hand against Forest.

Fulham are level on points with Chelsea. Everton, who have a game in hand against Manchester City, and Sunderland are on 47 points - so they are just about in the race.

Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Leeds could still mathematically - but not so realistically - qualify for the Champions League.

Read the full article here

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

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Patrick: Rob Edwards is not the answer. He didn't push on against 10 men who had just lost by five with their best XI on the pitch. Embarrassing.

Tom: Wolves really struggle to take control of games when a player is sent off or the momentum shifts towards them. They really need some more attacking power going into next season, otherwise it will be a very long year.

Raph: Edwards has done as well as could be expected given the situation when he took over. The players sold in the summer and the replacements brought in were all done before he arrived, and then they sold Larsen in January. Wolves are lucky to have him.

Walshie: Shocker of a performance and next season will be another season of struggle. If Edwards is the answer, what is the question?

Sunderland fans

Harry: Total dominance to total stupidity. Fought well for the second time this season to get a point. Ballard needs to have a talk with himself - absolutely needless.

Geoff: How frustrating is this? 1-0 up and looking sharp. Ten men playing 11 in this league just can't work. No matter that, Wolves are doomed to relegation. They are quite rightly playing for pride. On the flip side, an outstanding display by Sunderland's 10 men competing against the hosts extremely well for over 60 minutes. Keep going, lads. Who knows where we'll finish on 24 May?

Edward: Credit to the lads for responding after last week's fiasco and especially after going down to 10 men so early. When are players going to learn about the hair rule? We can have no complaints, but nevertheless, a well-deserved draw.

Sean: Our season is petering out after a really decent effort to get so far clear of relegation so early - and that's fine, but there are little bits of frustration that we're missing opportunities to push up the table. I don't quite see how Ballard's 'hair-pull' is automatically considered violent conduct worthy of a sending-off and three-match ban, even though it's been made clear enough that's the case. The rule needs revisiting at the end of the season to be more proportionate.

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Handballs, offsides and the impact of video assistant referees (VAR) have been huge points of contention in recent years, but is it now time to add hair pulling to the list?

Sunderland defender Dan Ballard became the third player this season to be sent off for pulling an opponent's hair in Saturday's 1-1 draw at relegated Wolves.

Referee Paul Tierney initially took no action, but showed a red card to the centre-back after VAR advised him to check the incident on the pitchside monitor.

As Sunderland fans chanted 'This isn't football', Ballard joined Everton's Michael Keane and Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez in being sent off for a hair pull this season.

Everton and Manchester United both failed in their appeals to get the red cards and their resulting three-game bans overturned, so it is unlikely Ballard and Sunderland will be successful should they make a challenge.

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, said: "I can't believe I'm on Match of the Day talking about players being sent off for hair pulling. It is ridiculous. The law has to change."

Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart also gave his view on Match of the Day, adding: "I don't think Dan Ballard is going for his hair, he is trying to get hold of the striker.

"According to the law, that is a red card. But do you want a player being sent off for violent conduct for that?

"It is the physical nature [of the sport], people trying to get hold of their opponent, so it doesn't make any sense."

Read Alex Brotherton's full piece here