Both sides come into the festive period in good spirits. Manchester United find themselves top of the Premier League and with a relatively kind draw in the last sixteen of the Champions League. Meanwhile, Sunderland harbour genuine hopes of a European spot themselves and should Steve Bruce's side carry their form into the second half of the campaign, there is every chance that it might just happen.
Having said that, the statistics indicate that the chances of Sunderland pulling off a famous victory are slim. The Mackems have not won at Old Trafford since 1968 and last beat United ten years ago in a League Cup tie. Last season, Anton Ferdinand's late own-goal denied Bruce's side a memorable win in the corresponding fixture.
The Black Cats will also have to contend with the fact that Manchester United remain the only unbeaten team in the country. Sir Alex Ferguson's side have rarely hit top form this season, but have yet to lose in 16 Premier League games and will feel that there is little reason not to extend that run on Sunday.
United are sitting pretty at the top of the table, two points ahead of Arsenal with a game in hand. Ferguson will be aware that perhaps their main danger on Sunday will be a sense of over-confidence and should they suffer from complacency, Sunderland have shown that they have enough quality about them to take advantage. However, Bruce looks like he will have to contend with a number of absentees from his squad as he returns to the club at which he made a name for himself as a player.
The Sunderland boss has taken a realistic approach ahead of the game, saying "We know what to expect, it will be difficult. But I always enjoy going back, even if I do come back with my backside kicked."Certainly Ferguson will hope to send his former captain back to Wearside nursing his wounds.
Manchester United – Hoping that they don't slip up Sir Alex Ferguson will go into Christmas a happy man. Not only are his side in an excellent position, but importantly, they exude an air of stability and consistency somewhat missing from their title rivals. Ferguson's team has begun to more or less pick itself. Edwin Van der Sar continues to be an enormous presence in goal and will be sorely missed once he retires. Brazilian youngster Rafael Da Silva has made the right-back slot his own while Patrice Evra continues to impress on the other side of defence. Much of United's solidity is down to the fact that they have been able to call on the partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic for a prolonged period this season, a luxury over the past couple of campaigns.
In midfield, Ji-sung Park has been in excellent form, including scoring the winner against Arsenal last time out. Anderson has also earned high praise from Ferguson while Michael Carrick should continue to patrol the middle of the park. Portugese winger Nani will be asked to continue impacting games to good effect.
All eyes though will likely be on the front two of Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney . The Bulgarian is the man of the moment, having hit five goals recently against Blackburn in United's 7-1 romp. The England striker though has still not found his scoring boots this season and will be anxious to hit the back of the net. Sunderland will hope that they are not on the receiving end of Rooney's return to form.
Sunderland – Down to the bare bones As if a trip to Old Trafford weren't difficult enough under normal circumstances, Sunderland will take on an in form Manchester United with up to seven players unavailable for selection as Steve Bruce looks to cobble together his starting eleven.
At least he knows that Scottish goalkeeper Craig Gordon goes into the match with plenty of confidence, having pulled off a sensational save against Bolton last week to help ensure a 1-0 victory for the Black Cats.
At the back, Sunderland will be without Titus Bramble and Michael Turner with knee injuries, while John Mensah is out for three weeks with an ankle knock. Expect either Argentinean Marcos Angeleri or 'the Egyptian Beckham' Ahmed Al Muhammadi to come in as cover.
Meanwhile, controversial midfielder and Black Cats' captain Lee Cattermole is suspended having picked up his fifth booking of the season. Youngster Jordan Henderson and Kieran Richardson more or less pick themselves, providing incisive running from out wide. Steve Bruce will hope that David Meyler is fit to take his place in the centre of midfield, particularly with Cattermole missing. The young Irishman suffered a knock at Fulham and it is unclear whether he is available for the trip to Old Trafford. Both Steed Malbranque and Boudewijn Zenden will hope that they can be accommodated in an inevitable midfield reshuffle.
Up front, the in-form Danny Welbeck is unavailable as a condition of his loan deal from Manchester United . The responsibility for breaching United's back four will rest upon Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan.
Steve Bruce will be hoping that a rather makeshift side holds its own at Old Trafford with a thin looking spine to both midfield and defence looking somewhat suspect.
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