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LONG READ: The Sanusi speech that scolded Buhari’s government

0 in Share First of all, I want to break from tradition. Usually I speak in Hausa in Kano. But, I don’t know how I am go...

Friday 23 December 2016

Preview: Manchester United v Sunderland




How can I follow the game? Manchester United's Boxing Day encounter is a traditional 15:00 GMT kick-off at Old Trafford with Sunderland providing the opposition. MUTV subscribers can see all the pre-game build-up in Match Day Live from 14:00 GMT and watch the match in full the next day. Fans can also keep track of the action via ManUtd.com's live blog and the club's official Twitter account @ManUtd.
We know all about the opposing manager... Yes, David Moyes is back at Old Trafford for the first time in the opposing dug-out after his spell in charge of United in 2013/14. The Scot had a stint in Spain with Real Sociedad before agreeing to move to the Stadium of Light. He'll become the fifth ex-United boss since the Second World War to manage against the Reds.
What's the form guide? Four wins in all competitions for the Reds and nine points from the last nine available in the Premier League. It's only one defeat in 13 since the loss at Jose Mourinho's former club Chelsea in October. Sunderland had a disastrous start to the campaign but improved in November, winning two of their three outings. This month, home victories over champions Leicester and Watford, in their last fixture, have improved the mood on Wearside.
Adnan Januzaj is with the Black Cats, isn't he? He is, but the Belgian won't play on Monday due to the terms of his loan move from United. His last appearance against Watford was one of his best since arriving in the North East as he helped set up Patrick van Aanholt's vital winner.
What's the other team news? Chris Smalling made his comeback as a late substitute at West Brom and is an option in defence but Eric Bailly missed the win over the Baggies. Henrikh Mkhitaryan was tipped by the boss to return in this game, but Luke Shaw is not yet available. The Black Cats are without long-term injury victims Paddy McNair, Duncan Watmore, Lee Cattermole and Lynden Gooch. Jan Kirchhoff and Billy Jones have picked up knocks but Donald Love could feature against his old club.
How did last season's games with Sunderland go? There was a 3-0 home win at Old Trafford, thanks to goals from Wayne Rooney, Memphis Depay and Juan Mata, before a 2-1 reverse on Wearside, despite a calm finish by Anthony Martial.
Tell me an interesting fact... This is the club's third Boxing Day meeting in the last nine years. The Reds won 4-0 at a chilly Stadium of Light in 2007, with Louis Saha scoring twice, and triumphed 2-0 at home in 2010.
What have our players been saying? Phil Jones told us: "Boxing Day is a great day for football. Sunderland had a slow start and have been a bit up and down of late. Anything can happen in this league and anyone can beat anyone on the day, so we have to give everything in every single game we play."
What are the other Premier League games on Boxing Day? A little surprisingly, it is not a full programme on 26 December. However, two fixtures follow on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Monday 26 December (15:00 GMT unless stated)Watford v Crystal Palace, 12:30
Arsenal v West Brom
Burnley v Middlesbrough
Chelsea v Bournemouth
Leicester v Everton
Swansea v West Ham
Hull v Man City, 17:15
Tuesday 27 DecemberLiverpool v Stoke, 17:15
Wednesday 28 December
Southampton v Tottenham, 19:45

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