Source: Manchester_EveningNews
Sunderland v United: Preview
Sir Alex Ferguson intends to ignore the demands of Wayne Rooney to play in Manchester United's clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Rooney believes he is fit but Ferguson wants to give his star striker more rest, which could be good news for Fabio Capello, who is due to name his England squad on Monday. Ferguson also confirmed he needs to monitor the fitness of Rio Ferdinand, Anderson and Michael Carrick, who all started Wednesday's 1-0 win in Valencia after having their recent appearances badly affected by injury. Paul Scholes' calf injury will not be risked, while Ryan Giggs does not believe he will be ready for a return following his hamstring complaint until after the international break. "The injury is not too bad," said Giggs. "It has settled down quite quickly. "Hopefully I will be training at the back end of next week and then I will be ready to play straight after the internationals." Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand could return to the Black Cats squad. Ferdinand is back in training after a hamstring injury and could be ready to face his older brother Rio, if selected, at the Stadium of Light. John Mensah (also hamstring) was due to train today, but the game is likely to come too soon for him, while Kieran Richardson will miss out with a similar problem. Manager Steve Bruce faces perhaps his most difficult decision with his goalkeepers as the fit-again Craig Gordon attempts to displace Belgian Simon Mignolet, while Fraizer Campbell and David Meyler (both knee) remain long-term absentees. Sunderland (from): Mignolet, Gordon, Onuoha, Bardsley, Angeleri, Bramble, Turner, Ferdinand, Da Silva, Cattermole, Riveros, Henderson, Malbranque, Elmohamady, Zenden, Colback, Reid, Bent, Gyan, Welbeck. Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Amos, Rafael, Neville, O'Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Smalling, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Anderson, Carrick, Gibson, Park, Bebe, Berbatov, Rooney, Owen, Hernandez, Macheda. Sunderland league form: LWDDD United league form: DWDWD Key opponent: Lee Cattermole - fiery competitor in the middle of the park Prediction: Sunderland 0 United 1 - if United keep their defensive from from Wednesday they should win Agree with the prediction? Have your say. Click here for all the latest odds from Betfred
