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Manchester United team vs Sunderland predicted as Carrick makes changes with Sesko call made

Manchester United have three games remaining in the Premier League season. United secured Champions League football last weekend but the Reds will want to finish the campaign on a high. Michael Carrick hinted on Thursday that changes could be made to give some fringe players an opportunity to impress. However, a raft of changes is unlikely. Lisandro Martinez is back from his three-match suspension and could start. Harry Maguire has not let Carrick down this season and should keep his spot. Ayden Heaven has done nothing wrong but Carrick could be tempted to pair Leny Yoro with the experienced defender. Yoro was playing well up until his injury and deserves a run-out against Sunderland. Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw have nailed down the full-back positions. Click here to find out the latest Manchester United news in our daily newsletter Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo will start in midfield. The Brazil international is in the last stretch of his farewell tour and deserves to start every game, fitness dependent. Attacking midfield is where changes are more likely. Bruno Fernandes is still on the hunt for the assist record and he is the key to this United team. Benjamin Sesko had to be taken off after colliding with the advertising hoarding against Liverpool and Carrick said after the game United were being careful with him. This makes him the obvious option to drop out. Bryan Mbeumo could then move from right wing to centre-forward. He has done well in that role previously and after struggling for form recently, a return up top could be just what is needed. Amad's mistake gave Liverpool a route back into last weekend's game. He needs to play his way out of this form and a return to a stadium that holds happy memories for him could get him back on track. Matheus Cunha will start on the left ahead of Patrick Dorgu. United predicted XI vs Sunderland: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo

2026-05-09

How Manchester United should line up vs Leeds in Premier League fixture

Manchester United finally return to Premier League action against Leeds tonight. United have waited 24 days to play a competitive fixture again after drawing against Bournemouth before the international break. During the break, Michael Carrick oversaw a training camp in the Republic of Ireland. Carrick hopes the trip will help United to end the Premier League campaign strongly and secure Champions League football. United are third in the table, putting them in a superb position to return to Europe's elite competition with seven games remaining. Leeds are scrapping to retain their top-flight status, but they will visit Old Trafford having not been beaten in their last four matches in all competitions. Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE . You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don't miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE. Regarding the team news, Harry Maguire is suspended after receiving a red card against Bournemouth, but Lisandro Martinez is set to return to the squad after recovering from an injury. This is how our writers think United should line up: Steven Railston Maguire could also miss the trip to Chelsea, depending on the outcome of the FA's charge for allegedly acting in an improper manner towards the fourth official against Bournemouth. Martinez returned to full training during the trip to Ireland, so he should be fit enough to start. Aside from an enforced one with Maguire missing out, the only change I would make from the team fielded before the break would be bringing in Sesko at the expense of Amad. Mbeumo, Sesko and Cunha are my early idea of the strongest attack for next season. Sesko has shown the quality to become a 20-goal-per-season striker, but he needs to be trusted to start to fulfil that potential. Jack Flintham With Maguire suspended, Martinez will need to step in to partner Yoro in defence. If fit enough, the Argentine has to take his chance. Dalot's absence from the Dublin training camp suggests he might not be risked tonight so Mazraoui is the logical alternative. The central midfielders pick themselves and should remain the same for the rest of this season. I would opt for Mbeumo as the lone centre-forward this evening, solely because Daniel Farke insisted they will try to take the game to United. His style is better suited to games against teams that leave gaps when attacking. Sesko off the bench has worked well for United this season so expect him to have a major say if called upon. Ross Jackson Martinez's return to training is a timely boost given Maguire's suspension. The Argentina international will be thrown straight back into the team alongside Yoro at centre-back. The rest of the team almost picks itself, but the big question ahead of team news dropping just over an hour before kick off will be who leads the line? Mbeumo gets the nod for me, but Sesko could have a big part to play off the bench given the problems Joshua Zirkzee causes Leeds in the reverse fixture when Daniel Farke's side were given something different to think about in the second half.

2026-04-13

Amad Diallo sends message to Michael Carrick over Manchester United future

Amad Diallo has sent a message to Michael Carrick (Picture: Getty) Amad Diallo has said the Manchester United squad believe Michael Carrick is the ‘right man’ to take over the club next season. Carrick has had a transformative effect on United’s fortunes this season since taking over after the sacking of Ruben Amorim in early January. The Red Devils have lost just one of their ten games since his arrival and now look set to qualify for the Champions League next season. Carrick’s contract expires at the end of the season, but he is now surely in the frame to become Amorim’s permanent successor heading into the summer. And the 44-year-old has got a huge vote of confidence after winger Amad suggested the squad are keen for him to stay on a longer-term basis. ‘Obviously it’s not for us as a player to decide, but he’s been very great, he’s been doing so much for the team,’ the Ivorian said. ‘He has a lot of experience, he knows the club and has the DNA. We think he’s the right man. We are really happy for what he is doing right now. Amad Diallo wants to see Carrick back in the dugout next season (Picture: Getty) ‘We have had a good experience with him, playing under him, it’s not for us to decide but we are going to try and take as much as we can from him.” ‘Since he’s arrived he’s been clear to everyone that he wants to win, he wants to reach the Champions League next season, and he’s been working with each player so he’s doing very well and we are really happy to have him as a manager. ‘Sometimes this kind of manager can bring the club where they belong. From a personal view he’s the right man but it’s not the players who decide.’ Michael Carrick is impressing as interim Man Utd boss (Picture: Getty) Fellow United forward Bryan Mbeumo also endorsed Carrick’s long-term appointment, saying: ‘We’ve got good experience with him, playing under him as well. It’s not for us to decide but we going to try to take as much as we can from him. ‘He knows the journey of the club, he knows how to talk to us as well, I think it’s been easier because he know the place so he has been great to work with. Carrick's record as United interim head coach Games: 10 Goals scored: 20 Goals conceded: 11 Form table since appointment: 1st ‘I think the club will decide at the end of the season, but my honest opinion is we’re really happy to have Michael Carrick as a manager and he’s doing well.’ Speaking recently, Carrick’s former teammate Wayne Rooney added himself to the list of names who want to see Carrick back next season. ‘100% he should [get the job],’ Rooney said. ‘I have said this. I knew this was going to happen with Michael Carrick. ‘I know him very well. I know his character, his personality. It needed a calm head, but someone who knows the place and the players needed some love, and he has given them that. ‘We have seen the players play with more quality, more together as a team, and they look like a very strong team. For me, why would you change? ‘He has got the best winning percentage of any Manchester United manager after that many games. For me, he has to get the job.’ United are back in action next Monday when they host Leeds United at Old Trafford. Get personalised updates on your team every day Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.

2026-04-07