Match preview: Sunderland v United

Having dispatched struggling Middlesbrough in their last away game, United are back in the North East for another meeting with relegation threatened opposition.

The Reds travel to Sunderland and the Stadium of Light, a ground which despite the hosts lowly status has not been kind to United in recent seasons.

The last two visits have yielded a solitary point and our last win there came in 2013 under the man now charged with plotting his former side's downfall, David Moyes.

After nine successive seasons of struggle in the Premier League, time looks set to have finally run out on the perennial relegation battlers. 
Rooted to the bottom, Sunderland have failed to score in their last six outings, have lost five of their last six with five wins all season and are ten points adrift of safety with seven to play. 

Moyes replaced England-bound Sam Allardyce (ironically now in charge of relegation rivals Crystal Palace) in the summer but he has been unable to oversee the fast-finishing surge that has become Sunderland's trademark. 

Poor preparation, lack of quality and a jumbled collection of stop-gap signings has made their slide back into the Championship a seemingly inevitable one. 

Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney are doubtful, with long term absentees Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Juan Mata all ruled out.
Antonio Valencia is set to return after he was rested against Everton and Luke Shaw could also feature after his lively cameo off the bench in that match. 

There are a number of ex Reds in the hosts alumnus on the pitch as well as in the dugout.

Adnan Januzaj is ineligible to face his "parent" club, but John O'Shea, Donald Love and Darron Gibson could all face their former side.
Paddy McNair (another ex Red), Jan Kirchhoff, Duncan Watmore and Steven Pienaar are all injured, but Lee Cattermole and Victor Anichebe return. 

United manager Jose Mourinho said: "We have a fantastic run of 20 matches unbeaten in the Premier League, this is not an easy thing to achieve and not many others do it
"We are fighting against difficult circumstances, in terms of looking to the future then I prefer to look at 10 matches with 10 draws. 
"You have something that is not easy to have, solid mentally, hard to beat, you show fight and resilience but you know that points are the reality." 

Form guide: Sunderland L L L D L L United D L W W D D 
Match odds: Sunderland 25/1 Draw 4/1 United 1/3 
Referee: Craig Pawson 

Rashford's ten game goal drought not for the want of trying

Marcus Rashford extended his goal drought to a tenth game as he drew another blank on Tuesday.

Despite a lively and hard-working performance against Everton, Rashford failed to find the net and has now not scored in the league since the 4-1 win over Leicester in September.

Having burst on to the scene in spectacular style last term, going on to hit eight goals in 18 appearances, Rashford's 40 games this term have yielded just seven.

He threatened to continue his marvellous breakthrough campaign with a similarly explosive start this time around - scoring against Hull, Watford, Northampton and that aforementioned Leicester match. 

Since then, it's been a season of struggle for Rashford. 

His last goal was the equaliser in the FA Cup tie at Blackburn in February and before that you have to go back another ten games to find his name on the scoresheet. 

That also came in the FA Cup, as he scored twice in the 4-0 third round win over Reading in January. 

Rashford changed the game when he came on for England against Lithuania and his lack of goals certainly haven't been for the want of trying.

Despite the calls to send the teenager out on loan, Jose looks set to stick by his young striker having been impressed with his work rate, energy and industry.

It was always going to be a tough ask to expect a repeat of Rashford's exploits last season, when he scored four times in his first two United games.

He hit a double on his debut against Midtjylland and then followed that up with a breath-taking brace on his league bow in the frenetic win over Arsenal. 

Rashford played mostly as the the central striker under Louis van Gaal, occasionally deployed on the left wing when required.

This term, the roles have very much been reversed with Jose preferring to deploy Rashford wide on the left in his one-striker system.
A combination of playing out of his natural position, a lack of confidence due to his goal drought, and the burden of expectation to support Zlatan in the goalscoring stakes has taken the toll on Rashford. 

He was moved centrally to fit the void in Zlatan's suspension and was only denied against West Brom by two very good Ben Foster stops. 
Before that, he deserved a goal in an impressive display at Middlesbrough and rose from his sick bed to run himself into the ground in a valiant FA Cup effort at Chelsea.

Another frustrating night as misfiring United draw again

Zlatan Ibrahimovic preserved our unbeaten run but the 1-1 draw with Everton was an eighth home stalemate of the season.

The Reds were staring at a first defeat since the 4-0 at Chelsea in October before Zlatan's calmly taken penalty sent Robles the wrong way and salvaged a point.

In many of the other seven Old Trafford draws, United have played well and been thwarted by a combination of deep defences, inspired opposition goalkeepers and the pressure of expectations. 

The biggest frustration is that we don't seem far away, we are unbeaten in 20 games in the league stretching back to October.
Mourinho has won one trophy already and can still take us into the Champions League by winning another - if that happens (as it should), then his first season must be considered a success. 

Despite what the critics will say, there has been definite improvement but the problem is clear: United do not score enough goals and look at least one striker short.

Zlatan has enjoyed a hugely productive first season in English football and his late goal on Tuesday took him to 27 for the season.
However, he has had his fair share of missed chances, Marcus Rashford is lacking confidence and Anthony Martial has failed to secure a regular starting place.

One on the main differences between this side and that of Louis van Gaal has been the more eye-catching style of play, with a preference for fluid build up and getting the ball into the box quickly. 

The performance against Everton, however, was one of the worst this season and a throwback to the days of Jose's immediate predecessor.

Perhaps because of the absence of the injured Juan Mata, United struggled for creativity with much of the play in front of the Everton defence - often sideways and backwards without showing any real strategy to break down the visitors. 

On a night when we lacked cohesion and incisiveness  a reshuffle to the side saw Herrera drop to left-back following the withdrawal of Daley Blind at half-time.
Despite the presence of Matteo Darmian and Luke Shaw on the bench, Herrera swapped position with Ashley Young to move to right-back. 

Shaw did eventually come on, and would have a hand (literally) in the equaliser, but only as an enforced change after Young's injury.

It was all very confusing and muddled and that transcended through the team on a rare off-night for the Reds.

Match report: United 1-1 Everton

A Zlatan Ibrahimovic penalty deep into injury time rescued a scarcely deserved point for United against impressive Everton. 

Phil Jagielka put the Toffees ahead in the first half as the Reds toiled for long periods.

Despite hitting the woodwork twice, United's 20-match unbeaten run looked to be over until Ashley Williams handled Luke Shaw's shot and Zlatan levelled things.

Zlatan and Ander Herrera both returned from suspension and the Swede went close early on, when he was thwarted by a superb lunging challenge from Williams.

Jesse Lingard flashed a shot wide and Marcus Rashford also went close but was flagged offside. 

Ronald Koeman's side had barely threatened but grew into the contest and soon called David de Gea into action. 
From the resultant corner, the visitors moved ahead as Jagielka stabbed home from close range from a Williams flick on.

That put the wind in Everton's sails and they almost doubled their lead straight away when Romelu Lukaku burst through but fired narrowly wide. 

Joel Robles saved well from a Daley Blind free-kick and Herrera fired against the bar on the angle from the follow-up.

Herrera, along with Eric Bailly, was United's best player on the night and went close again, only to be denied by a superb sprawling save from Robles.

Ashley Young fired across goal and Rashford, lively as always, got himself into a good position but a brilliant challenge from Jagielka ensured Everton held on to their lead at the break. 

Fit-again Paul Pogba was introduced at half-time and almost equalised on 54 minutes as United hit the woodwork for a second time.

After Rashford was fouled by Gareth Barry, Young's free-kick glanced off Lukaku and Pogba's header rebounded off the post. 

De Gea saved well from a Barry header, and Maroaune Fellaini poked just wide of the post after he created space for himself.

Ibrahimovic thought he had equalised when he headed home a Herrera cross, only for assistant referee Scott Ledger to flag for offside, a decision which was marginal but correct. 

Despite a sub-standard performance for long periods, United piled on the pressure in the closing stages as Everton determinedly clung to their slender lead.

Lingard's deflected effort flew inches wide, Marcos Rojo headed over and Ibrahimovic went close with a snapshot. 

This side is nothing if not spirited though, and preserved the long unbeaten league run in dramatic style in the third minute of injury time.

Shaw's goalbound shot was handled by the stretching Williams, who was subsequently sent off, and Ibrahimovic kept his cool to slam home the spot-kick. 

Overall team performance: 6/10
United Faithful  Man of the Match: Eric Bailly. Classy and kept Lukaku quiet with an assured display. 

Match preview: United v Everton

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera both return from suspension to boost United's attacking options for the visit of Everton.

After a blunt showing in a disappointing result against West Brom last time out, Zlatan is available again after his three-match ban following the Tyrone Mings incident. 
Herrera has completed his own two game suspension and will feature in United's second game in four days.
 Juan Mata (groin) Chris Smalling and Phil Jones (both foot) are all absent and Paul Pogba (hamstring) is doubtful. 
Everton have injury problems of their own, with six players out, which include Ramiro Funes Mori, Aaron Lennon, ex Red Morgan Schneiderlin and leg-break victim Seamus Coleman.

Ronald Koeman's in-form side make the short journey to Old Trafford having lost once in their last 12, prior to Saturday's defeat in the Merseyside derby.
Inspired by the pace and power of Premier League top scorer Romelu Lukaku (21 goals), and the creativity of exciting youngsters Tom Davies and Ross Barkley, the Toffees sit one place behind sixth-placed Arsenal - albeit having played two games more. 

An injury-time Leighton Baines penalty denied us the win in the reverse fixture at Goodison in December after Ibra's spectacular effort had given us the lead. 

Victory would move the team to within two points of fourth-placed City, ahead of their clash at Chelsea the following night.
The Reds are on an unbeaten league run of 19 matches but the WBA stalemate was our eleventh of the season and eighth at home, more than any other team. 

With a European quarter-final against Anderlecht on the horizon, United boss Jose said that he is "fully focused" on his side's Premier League challenge.
He said: "The quarter-finals of the Europa League are very important for us, of course, but at the moment we're thinking about the Premier League and nothing else.
"Until it is mathematically impossible, we keep trying and this week we do not play in Europe, so it is easy to focus. 
"After Everton, we go to Sunderland with the same perspective, then comes the Europa League against Anderlecht and after that I don't know."

Form guide: United D D L W W D Everton D W L W W L 
Match odds: United 7/4 Draw 15/4 Everton 9/2
Referee: Neil Swarbrick 

Not looking for good for Shaw after Jose hits out (again)

Jose Mourinho's scathing attack on Luke Shaw looks the last throw of the dice as the left-back attempts to save his United career.

The manager publicly blasted the 21-year-old's "attitude, focus and commitment" and confirmed that Shaw is fifth choice left-back - a "long way" behind Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian and Ashley Young. 

Rojo and Darmian have often been a liability when picked at left-back, Young is a winger by trade and Blind has also hopped on the left-back merry go round. 

All are inferior in talent to Shaw, but compensate for that through effort and application.

Despite still appearing to be part of Gareth Southgate's England plans, he's been under-performing in training and hasn't convinced Mourinho. 

LVG publicly rebuked Shaw's fitness levels two-and-a-half years ago (even placing him on a weight loss training regime) and it remains an ongoing concern. 

Shaw has made only two appearances in four months and didn't even make the bench against West Brom, despite United's injury problems and being fit and available to play. 

Academy prospects Axel Tuanzebe and Matty Willock were named as substitutes instead in the clearest indication yet that Shaw looks set to leave. 

A damning verdict for a player who looked to have such a bright future at the club when he was signed from Southampton in 2014.

He made the move to United as the world's most expensive teenager and enjoyed a superb start to life at Old Trafford. 

Having broken his leg in two places during a Champions League tie in Eindhoven, Shaw was out for almost a year and, since then, his form and fitness has plummeted. 

Until that debilitating injury, Shaw was United's outstanding player of the campaign and was flourishing in tandem with Memphis Depay down the left.

Mourinho has also criticised Shaw after the 3-1 defeat at Watford in September, and for "refusing to play" in the November match at Swansea. 

Jose is also believed to tried an "arm round the shoulder" approach with the player and this latest outburst could represent Shaw's last chance to prove his manager wrong. 

Unless he does so, then the left-back looks certain to be the first casualty of Jose's tenure, a sad end for a player who was tipped to become a star and shine at United for many years to come. 

Match report: United 0-0 West Brom

United were forced to settle for an eighth home draw of the season in another frustrating Old Trafford afternoon. 

Despite bossing the ball and dominating territory, the hosts failed to break down Tony Pulis' typically resolute and well organised side.

United have now drawn eleven games in the league - more than any other side - and have dropped 19 points at home. 

The Baggies were indebted to former Reds keeper Ben Foster, who made three superb saves to become the latest visiting stopper to turn in an impressive OT display. 

Another ex United man, Darren Fletcher, almost won it late on for the visitors when David de Gea palmed his speculative effort on to the bar. 

Jesse Lingard flashed a shot wide from distance early on and the returning Anthony Martial then went close with a header at the back post on 18 minutes.

Stand-in skipper Michael Carrick then picked out the man of the match at Middlesbrough, but his dangerous ball in evaded everyone.

Craig Dawson's last-ditch challenge thwarted Martial, Marcus Rashford had a shot blocked and Carrick went close with his follow-up.

United continued to up the ante and almost broke the deadlock with two chances in quick succession on 54 minutes.

Marouane Fellaini was impressive throughout but should done better from 15 yards, and Martial then fizzed a shot wide from distance as the Old Trafford faithful rallied the hosts. 

Henrikh Mkhitaryan went close with a clever lob, before Foster had to be at his best to keep out Rashford's stinging effort with a brilliant full-stretch save. 

Wayne Rooney was introduced in search of the elusive breakthrough, but it was the visitors who nearly took a shock, and undeserved, lead with 15 minutes remaining.

Fletcher let fly from distance with a shot that de Gea would usually deal with comfortably.
On this occasion however, he fumbled the effort but fortunately for us the ball rebounded back off the bar.

Marcos Rojo headed wide but United continued to press and Foster did well again to deny Rashford.
This time, he tipped wide Rashford's 30-yard free-kick and then saved well with his foot to keep out Rooney late on.

That proved to be the final action of the match as WBA held out for a point to leave United five  behind fourth-placed City (albeit with two games in hand).

Overall team performance: 6.5/10
United Faithful man of the match: Marouane Fellaini