Mata Starts – Predicted Man Utd Starting XI To Face Sunderland

Ryan Giggs will look to continue his impressive start to life as Manchester United boss when Sunderland come to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. Here is our predicted line-up for the game.

Giggs is unlikely to make too many changes from the side that thrashed Norwich 4-0 last week, although he could bring Chris Smalling back in to the defence if Rafael fails to recover from his hamstring injury in time, with Rio Ferdinand the most likely to drop out.

Marouane Fellaini and Darren Fletcher will be hoping for recalls, but Tom Cleverley should be confident of keeping his place in midfield alongside Michael Carrick after a positive display last week.

Juan Mata is almost certain to come back in having come off the bench to score a brace last time out and he could join Danny Welbeck and Antonio Valencia in attack.

Robin van Persie is back in training and pushing for a place in the starting line-up after recovering from a knee injury that’s kept him out for over six weeks, but Giggs may opt to be cautious with the Dutchman and bring him off the bench in the second half.

Here’s our predicted line-up:

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