Preview: Manchester United vs. Sunderland

Manchester United will be expected to claim the three points on Saturday when they welcome struggling Sunderland to Old Trafford in the Premier League.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side opened up a six-point gap at the top of the table last weekend with a dramatic 3-2 victory at neighbours Manchester City.

Saturday's opponents Sunderland have been in poor form as of late, but a comfortable 3-0 win over Reading on Monday may send the Black Cats to the Theatre of Dreams with some confidence.

United captain Nemanja Vidic is expected to return following a three-month absence with a knee injury, while Jonny Evans will miss the match with a hamstring problem.

Meanwhile, Sunderland are still without the injured pair of Wes Brown and Lee Cattermole.

Recent form

Man Utd: LWWWLW

Sunderland: WLDLLW

Possible lineups

Man Utd: De Gea; Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Young, Carrick, Cleverley, Valencia; Rooney, Van Persie

Sunderland: Mignolet; O'Shea, Cuellar, Rose; Larsson, Gardner, Colback, Johnson, McClean; Sessegnon, Fletcher

Sports Mole says: 2-0