Sunderland trust Sir Alex Ferguson will field a weakened side for a fixture scheduled only 48 hours before United's FA Cup quarter-final replay against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Martin O'Neill's problem is that they are adept at coping well with heavy rotation. Even so, Ferguson's preoccupation with besting Rafael Benítez on Easter Monday means this is a less bad than usual time to meet the league leaders. After no wins in seven games relegation fears are mounting on Wearside but a point today could alter the mood dramatically. Louise Taylor

Venue Stadium of Light, Saturday 12.45pm

Tickets £32-£40 (0871 911 1973)

Last season Sunderland 0 Man Utd 1

Referee K Friend

This season's matches 16 Y58, R1, 3.69 cards per game

Odds Sunderland 9-2 Man Utd 3-5 Draw 14-5

Sunderland

Subs from Westwood, Mangane, Kilgallon, Larsson, Vaughan, Gardner, Wickham, Mandron, Noble

Doubtful Vaughan (groin), Sessègnon (groin)

Injured Cattermole (knee, Aug), Fletcher (ankle, Aug), Brown (knee, unknown), Cuéllar (ankle, unknown)

Suspended None

Form guide DLDLLL

Disciplinary record Y46 R0

Leading scorer Fletcher 11

Man United

Subs from De Gea, Johnstone, Evra, Welbeck, Powell, Young, Smalling,

Vidic, Ferdinand, Carrick, Cleverley, Kagawa, Rooney, Van Persie

Injured Fletcher (illness, season)

Suspended None

Form guide WWWWWW

Disciplinary record Y43 R0

Leading scorer Van Persie 19

Match pointers

• Sunderland have won just one of their previous 23 Premier League games against Manchester United, losing 17

• Manchester United have won 47 of a possible 51 points in their last 17 Premier League games (W15 D2).

• Sunderland have collected only three points (D3 L4) in their last seven Premier League matches

• Of the 28 sides to have played at least 25 Premier League games in the month of March, Sunderland (0.90) have the worst points per game ratio