Manchester United-Sunderland Preview

Posted Friday, October 01, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

NEIL RICHARDS STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Sunderland manager Steve Bruce knows all there is to be known about Sir Alex Ferguson but he hopes he may have some surprises for the Manchester United boss at the Stadium of Light.

Bruce spent the key years of his career as the rock at the heart of the United defence and retains an affection for his old club and his old mentor.

But all that will be cast aside as Manchester United, fresh from their narrow Champions League 1-0 victory in Valencia, head for the north east to protect their unbeaten Premier League record.

Bruce said: “I like to think we are not a bad side. We have shown in matches against Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool that we can compete with the best.

“We have had to overcome some freak decisions, like the goal that was allowed at Liverpool last week, and gone on and got points.

“Manchester United are still the team to beat. Their great asset is that they try to win every match and not every club can say that.

“We will need to be at our best and they will beat you if they are not.

“The important thing is not to concede possession too easily against them. If we can keep hold of the ball we will at least make them work to get it back.”

Sunderland could be boosted by the return of defenders John Mensah and Anton Ferdinand from hamstring injuries.

But Bruce faces one important selection problem with first choice goalkeeper Craig Gordon fit again and available.

Bruce is likely to keep Gordon on the bench and persist with his deputy, Simon Mignolet who has been outstanding in Gordon’s absence.

Manchester United will hope they suffer no reaction from the trip to Valencia where they won with a late goal from Javier Hernandez.

Hernandez, known as Chicharito, is only now coming to terms with life at Old Trafford after his seven million pounds signing.

Ferguson plans to ease the exciting young Mexican striker into the demanding life of the Premier League and may again leave him on the bench for the Sunderland kick off.

Ferguson said: “This is a squad game and young Hernandez is still learning the language and the British way. We do not expect too much too soon.”

England striker Wayne Rooney is sidelined for up to three weeks with an ankle injury. Rooney missed the Valencia match, as did veteran Paul Scholes but Scholes is expected to return to the squad at Sunderland.

One player definitely missing from the match is Danny Welbeck, on loan at Sunderland from Manchester United. Welbeck is not allowed to play in the fixture for Sunderland but he wishes he could.

“I would love the chance to play against United to show them my improvement and what I can do. At the moment I am very much a Sunderland player but it will be weird watching the match.”