Sunderland vs Manchester United prediction, preview & betting tips – 09/05/2026

Sunderland will welcome Manchester United to the Stadium of Light on Sunday, 9 May, with the Black Cats still in contention for a top-eight finish and European qualification.

Coming into the match, Sunderland are three points behind Brighton in eighth, but with just three games of the season to play, they realistically need a win on Saturday to keep their European dream alive.

Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our free expert Premier League predictions.

Sunderland vs Man Utd key stats

• No side has picked up more Premier League points than Manchester United since Michael Carrick was appointed manager.
• Man Utd have won their last three Premier League matches.
• A total of 18 goals have been scored across Sunderland's last five league matches (3.6 goals per game).

Sunderland vs Man Utd preview: Red Devils to down the Black Cats

It's been a superb first season back in the Premier League for Sunderland, who have surpassed all expectations by simply not being relegated.

Regis Le Bris is one of the candidates to win the Manager of the Season award, and rightly so, which makes the rumours about his future at the Stadium of Light even more difficult to believe.

The Black Cats have already picked up their fair share of memorable victories this season, and while nothing will top doing the double over Newcastle United, downing Manchester United would arguably be a close second.

The Sunderland faithful are perhaps owed a good performance at the Stadium of Light, too. Last time out here, they succumbed to a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest, in a result that put them on the back foot in the race for Europe.

Les Bris will be without Dan Ballard for this one, as the defender begins a three-match suspension after seeing red against Wolves last time out. Romaine Mundle is out injured, but Nilson Angulo and Bertrand Traore could return.

As for Manchester United, their job for the season is now complete after securing a return to the UEFA Champions League.

Michael Carrick deserves immense credit for the job he has done since taking over from Ruben Amorim at the beginning of 2026, and he now awaits confirmation that the job is his on a permanent basis.

The last thing for the Red Devils to play for is third place, which will be guaranteed if they can pick up four points from their final three matches of this season. Considering they finished 15th last season, this should be considered a job well done.

The squad will no doubt also be desperate to help Bruno Fernandes pick up the Premier League all-time assist record. The club's captain needs two more to overtake Kevin de Bruyne and Thierry Henry, so don't expect too many shots from the Portuguese midfielder.

In terms of injuries, Matthijs de Ligt remains out with a back injury, and Benjamin Sesko is a doubt after injuring his leg during the win over Liverpool.

Sunderland vs Man Utd form guide & betting tips

Whispers predicts: Sunderland 1-2 Man Utd

Only Man City have picked up more points than Man Utd over the last ten PL matches. Man Utd to win the match has been best priced at 17/20.

More than two goals have been scored in seven of Man Utd's last eight matches. Over 2.5 goals has been priced at 8/11

Bruno Fernndes needs just one more assist to equal the Premier League all-time record. Fernadnes is priced at 2/1 to register an assist on Saturday.

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