- Two Manchester United players who need to shine
- United line-up against Sunderland
- Can either deliver Bruno Fernandes’ elusive 20th assist?
It is time for both Amad Diallo and Joshua Zirkzee to step up in a Manchester United shirt. With Sunderland awaiting, both players now have the chance to inject life into a United attack that has looked increasingly blunt in recent weeks.
Amad has not scored since United’s chaotic 4-4 draw against Bournemouth on 15 December. One of the few genuine bright sparks from last season, the Ivorian actually scored more goals in his hat-trick against Southampton than he has managed across this entire campaign.
Zirkzee, meanwhile, may now stand before his final real opportunity to prove his worth in a United shirt. The Dutch forward has been struggling for minutes under Michael Carrick, playing just 36 minutes across seven appearances.
This marks his first start under the interim head coach, and a strong performance could drag him back into contention ahead of next season.
READ: Latest Manchester United news and updates
FOLLOW: Read Man Utd on Facebook, Instagram and X
What United Duo Must Do
Their instructions today remain simple: Score. If one of them can latch onto a Bruno Fernandes pass and hand their captain his elusive 20th assist, even better. But above all else, they simply need to perform.
Amad returns to the Stadium of Light against the club where he enjoyed a breakout loan spell during the 2022/23 season, scoring 14 goals in 37 matches as Sunderland pushed into the play-offs in their first Championship campaign since 2018.
Sunderland still dream of bringing him back permanently, and have reportedly tested United’s resolve on several occasions.
United’s answer has always remained the same: no. But with Amad’s form drifting further away, that certainty may finally be wobbling for the first time.
A sale still feels highly unlikely, but if performances continue to slide, Sunderland’s interest will only intensify. Zirkzee presents a different situation entirely.
With opportunities under Carrick proving scarce, the Dutchman could easily depart in the summer for a side willing to hand him regular football. His time at United has felt awkward from the beginning.
The work-rate exists. The technical quality exists. His close control can still leave defenders stumbling in tight spaces. But despite all of that, he has never truly discovered consistency in front of goal.
Across 72 appearances for United—many of them brief cameos from the bench—Zirkzee has still failed to reach double figures, registering just nine goals and four assists. Today offers him a chance to remind Carrick exactly what he can offer.
With the interim head coach edging ever closer towards taking the role permanently, Zirkzee now needs to show he deserves to remain part of the project; not merely another name swept aside in United’s next rebuild.
Team news
Carrick has made five changes from United’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Liverpool.
Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Zirkzee, and Diallo all return to the starting line-up, whilst Diogo Dalot, Bryan Mbeumo, and Ayden Heaven drop to the bench.
Benjamin Sesko misses out entirely after coming off at half-time against Liverpool, whilst Casemiro does not feature in the squad at all.
Dalot, Mbeumo, and Heaven join Altay Bayindir, Tyrell Malacia, Leny Yoro, and both Jack and Tyler Fletcher amongst United’s substitutes.
