Manchester United vs Sunderland Match Preview
Sir Alex Ferguson will celebrate his 25th anniversary as Manchester United boss when Sunderland visit Old Trafford on Saturday.
It will likely add sentiment to the occasion that the visiting manager will be Sunderland boss Steve Bruce, who spent nine seasons playing center back as Ferguson built his Old Trafford dynasty.
United stayed five points behind league leading Manchester City with a 1-0 win at Everton last weekend, while Sunderland are hovering four points above the relegation zone.
Chris Smalling is ruled out with a foot injury, but the United defense will be boosted by the return to fitness of captain Nemanja Vidic.
Michael Owen and Ashley Young are sidelined with injury for the Red Devils, while Ryan Giggs and Tom Cleverley are also ruled out.
Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet is ruled out after suffering a broken nose and fractured eye socket in a brutal collision with Aston Villa forward Emile Heskey last weekend.
Former United player John O’Shea is also ruled out for the Black Cats, while fellow defender Wes Brown is expected to face his former club. Midfielder David Vaughan is struggling with a groin injury and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.