Man United fans must be patient with Martial: Carrick

Manchester United fans must be patient with Anthony Martial as the 20-year-old can not always be the “shining light” in every match, according to midfielder Michael Carrick. Our live coverage lets you follow all the key moments as they happen.

Louis van Gaal admitted that last week’s dropped points at Chelsea could prove costly in the race for the Champions League places and his side were again made to pay by an energetic Sunderland on Saturday. Find out by following our live matchcast. The Black Cats failed to get on the scoresheet in the recent home defeat to Manchester City, but that is one of the few occasions in which they have not found the back of the net in recent weeks.

“I think it (Sunday) was a big day for us in terms of the league situation”.

However, United have never lost a Premier League game at the Stadium of Light, but the Wearsiders did win in the league 19 years ago at Roker Park.

The goal line is a good option since United generally play a boring sort of game so 1-0, 0-0, 1-1 or 2-0 results are all very possible. “If we’d have gone there and got a win we’d have been in good shape, but it wasn’t to be and it makes things harder for us”, Carrick told the official United website.

Sunderland go into the game having sacked England worldwide Adam Johnson on Thursday after the winger pleaded guilty to child sex charges. Sunderland go into the game sitting second bottom in the league, losing two, winning two and drawing two of their last six games, but they got a dramatic late point at Anfield against Liverpool last weekend, so they will bring some confidence into this weekend’s game.

United will be without Luke Shaw (broken leg), Antonio Valencia (ankle), Marcos Rojo (shoulder), Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee), Ashley Young (groin) and Adnan Januzaj (hamstring).

That meant United had to give a debut to Scotland under-21 global Donald Love – who had never before been in a matchday squad for the Red Devils and recently returned from a two-month loan spell at League One Wigan Athletic.

Series History: Sunderland has only defeated Manchester United twice.

The Blues have won just four of their Premier League home games this season – that’s the same return as Norwich and West Brom – and just can’t be trusted against any opposition to win at such a short price.