Nemanja Vidic makes his return to the Manchester United matchday squad following eight weeks out with a knee injury, although the Serbian centre back isn't fit enough to start, finding his way only to the bench. Sunderland, meanwhile, have lost both starting fullbacks -- including the influential Danny Rose -- and are having to go with a rather improvisational back line consisting of Jack Colback, Titus Bramble, John O'Shea and Carlos Cuellar. Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney will be licking their chops.
Manchester United starting lineup (4-4-1-1): David de Gea; Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones; Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley, Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia; Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie.
Substitutes from: Anders Lindegaard, Nemanja Vidic, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Darren Fletcher, Javier Hernandez, Danny Welbeck.
Sunderland starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Simon Mignolet; Jack Colback, Titus Bramble, John O'Shea, Carlos Cuellar; Craig Gardner, Sebastian Larsson; Adam Johnson, Stephane Sessegnon, James McClean; Steven Fletcher.
Substitutes from: Kieren Westwood, Matthew Kilgallon, David Vaughan, Fraizer Campbell, Connor Wickham, James McFadden, Louis Saha.