I think that this is going to be a standard "11- men- behind- the- ball- try- and get- a- point-" kind of game, and Sunderland will try and make it very hard for us. Fergie will reshuffle and I've got the feeling Ronaldo, Tevez, Giggs and Anderson will be rested with Nani, Fletcher (with pehaps Park coming on at a later stage), Hargreaves and Saha coming in. Carrick will retain his place as he needs to get a run of games and will partner Hargreaves in the centre of midfield. I fancy us to win 2-0.

Just hope Kuszcak has a little more confidence in himself after his poor showing yesterday. A touch of the Leighton's??

Can Saha and Rooney be creative enough upfront to break through a stubborn Sunderland defence, without the creativity of Ronaldo, Giggs and/or Anderson? I hope so, but have my reservations (although its perhaps Rooney's turn to take the centre stage, and this might very well be when he does so). I hope Fergie means it when he says he will change 2 or 3 players (e.g Rio, Hargreaves and Nani for O'shea, Carrick and Giggs) with Saha and Park coming on as impact players for Rooney/Tevez and Ronaldo, to give them a rest. To many changes can see us fall flat against a very determined Sunderland....

I guess they are all potential banana skins as witness the city and bolton results so it's a case of team selection. Carrick needs games as does Hargreaves so rest Anderson and play them. Eagles and Nani on the wings. Tevez and Saha up front. Keep back four intact altho' Pique and Vidic would be ok. 3-0 United.

Sir Alex should start with a strong team - he can always take off players if we are winning handsomely.

I hate games when Utd has to bring on the cavalry with the clock ticking down.

Let's hope Fergie doesn't "freshen" it up too much, or we could very well get turned over. Keane's boys gave us a hard time at OT earlier, and they'll be well up for this one at home.Rio should be back, also OH by the sounds of it, so my line up; Kit Kat, Wes, Rio, Vida, Evra. OH, Anderson, Nani, Ronnie, Rooney & Tevez. Bench: Park, JOS, Saha, Carrick. No let up for this one, or the Hammers game. Kit Kat really needs to work on his kicking, gives me the willys on pass backs, but he's a pretty good stopper.

What poor showing from Kuszczak? This was only the 3rd ever Premier League goal he conceded in 8 games for us. He's been great when called upon. I don't think we should worry about him against Sunderland. He's already faced Arsenal and Chelsea and done well.

this is not a game to tak lightly and just thrust in park whos been out for so long. a couple of sub appearances or play him in the cup at villa. i can see fergie putting in Nani and park at Sunderland who've played so few games between them and this could be folly to a team who are fighting so hard to stay up. keane would love to get one over fergie lets hope he doesn't assist him with his team selection.its been known before!

Riquelminho, I hope Fergie doesn't go too mad with the changes because Sunderland away is not as easy as it looks and three point might, just might, be better than Arsenal can manage at Portsmouth.

My team; KK, Simpson, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Hargreaves, Carrick, Nani, Eagles, Rooney, Saha.

I'm in Gateshead at the mo....anyone got any spare tickets....??

hehehehe

Riquelminho,

I hope that Keano doesn't park the bus on us this game as you predict. That always makes it much harder for the side looking for 3 points.

That said, the good thing is that Keano really can't afford to not go for a big upset win here. Sunderland desperately need points. Getting draws won't do it for them. Plus, after he blew his lid off at Reading, he might be further motivated to attack. I hope he does exactly this so that we can exploit the gaps.

Couldnt agree more with Riquelminho. Our 2nd team needs a chance to stretch their legs so now the vets can stuff themselves on christmas dinner and enjoy their holidays with family. I think Ronaldo might play but not of SAF's volition. He's league leader in goals and he'll have an eye on that and plus, he absolutely tears apart defensive lines from smaller clubs. Park has a tremendous attitude and work rate. He may never be a regular starter but he is great value.

I

I can't see United slipping up here.

Do people expect us to play our strongest line up EVERY game.

It seems people wpould like to see our strongest 11 EVERY game regardless of whether we have to play 4 games in 10 days.

Even more to the point if oue best 11 plays every game, what happens when one of them gets injured> Do you expect a player who hasnt kicked a ball all season to perform?

Come on poeople just a little brain power required to realise changes HAVE to be made!

Couldn't agree more, Fuzzby? But you are disagreeing by talking of Ronaldo playing. I agree that his creativity can unblock a bus that Keane might put in front of his goal (and do not think that Keane will go all out for a win here - a draw will be great for him). Yes, stretch some new legs, but make sure we start strongly (no more than 2-3 changes to start with) and with 2 or 3 goals up at half-time we can bring on more youngsters during the second half (i.e end the game with6 different players from the last game). Maybe against Derby we can afford to be more experimental - but I doubt it as all teams are up for it against United, so we musty be careful..... MAXIMUM points from the festive season is what we MUST strive for 'cos Arse are not going to drop points easily!

i think its stupid to bring in a sea of changes. I think that maybe 1 or 2 changes is best then if we are winning comfortable take off a few who need it and bring in some fresh legs.

my line up - kk, evra, vida, rio, brown, nani, carrick, anderson, ronaldo, rooney, tevez.

then ifs goin well bring off brown, anderson, tevez for simpson, oh and saha. ronaldo and rooney shouldnt need a break at this stage especially as they missed some games already this season through injury and suspension.

Demo,

I hope you don't mind me asking this, are you left-handed? Just asking ... Cheers;)

vidic - do you mind if i ask why?

no im right handed. but i am actually left footed.