Benjamin Sesko has failed a late fitness test and will not play for Manchester United against Sunderland today. Sesko had aggravated an old shin injury in the game against Liverpool last week but United had been hopeful he would recover in time to play. Here is Michael Carrickās confirmed starting XI for the match. Defence Senne Lammens is in goal. The back four are Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw. With only two games left after this one, Shaw is getting close to his personal target of starting every match this season. Lisandro Martinez is back after his three-match ban. Diogo Dalot drops to the bench. Midfield and Attack Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount are the midfield duo in interim manager Michael Carrickās 4-2-3-1 system. Casemiro and Manu Ugarte did not travel. Amad, Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha are the attacking midfielders and Josh Zirkzee plays up front in Seskoās absence, with Bryan Mbeumo dropping to the bench. Fernandes will be hoping for another assist today as he aims to level with Premier League record holders Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne on 20. Substitutes On the bench today are Altay Bayindir, Leny Yoro, Diogo Dalot, Patrick Dorgu, Jack and Tyler Fletcher, Tyrell Malacia, Mbeumo and Ayden Heaven. Kick-off at the Stadium of Light is at 3pm. A win for United will bring them a step closer to a third-place finish in the Premier League. Locked in to face Sunderland š ā Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 9, 2026 Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the worldās leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Red Billy Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and two magazines and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy first saw United live in 1971, watching George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, before becoming a League Match ticket book holder from 1975/76 and a writer since 1995. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.





