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Monday 26 May 2025 11:59
Manchester United will face Sunderland in the Premier League next season for the first time since 2017.
The Black Cats promotion to the Premier League was confirmed on Saturday afternoon as Regis Le Bris’ side came from behind against Sheffield United to win 2-1 in the Championship play-off final, with late goals from Eliezer Mayenda and Tom Watson sealing their return to the top flight.
United have faced Sunderland 32 times in the Premier League, retaining a strong record against the north-east side with 23 wins and 6 draws across those meetings.
Here, we refresh ourselves on some of our favourite memories against the Wearsiders…
21 December 1996: United 5 Sunderland 0
Our first ever Premier League meeting with Sunderland will forever be one of the most memorable.
Hitting five against the Black Cats would have earned this game its place in history alone, but that Eric Cantona goal moves it to the very top of the pile.
Already four up at the time, the Frenchman got United on the attack with a neat bit of skill just inside the opponents half before playing a quick one-two with Brian McClair. Entering the box to receive the return, Cantona took one look up and coolly chipped the ball over the Sunderland goalkeeper, before turning round with an even cooler celebration.
Earlier goals from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (2), Nicky Butt and another from Cantona from the spot ensured this game went down as one for the ages.
February 2002: United 4 Sunderland 1
There were few doubts about which side was going to control this Old Trafford meeting when Phil Neville raced forward to finish off a piercing passing move from United with just six minutes on the clock.
The visitors did level the game shortly after, but when the Reds won a free-kick on the very edge of Sunderland’s penalty area, David Beckham knew it was his time to shine.
The Black Cats constructed a considerable wall, trying in vain to keep the England international out, but it proved redundant as Beckham curled his shot effortlessly round the obstacle to put United back in the lead.
He then handed the reins to Ruud van Nistelrooy, who notched a third with a deft touch that teed himself up for an unstoppable volley, before the Dutchman extended Sunderland’s arrears from the spot.
United 4 Sunderland 1 Video
United 4 Sunderland 1
2 February 2002: United scored four for the second time in the space of five days…
December 2007: Sunderland 0 United 4
We met former United captain Roy Keane on this trip to the north east, who was at that point the manager of the Black Cats.
An attacking trio of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha proved too much for Keane’s men on the day, all three getting a goal and the latter bagging a brace.
Ronaldo was the headline-maker that day, striking one of his signature free-kicks sweetly into the top-left corner from distance, leaving the goalkeeper stunned.
It was a famous victory on our way to another Premier League title that year.
Sunderland 0 United 4 Video
Sunderland 0 United 4
26 December 2007: A Christmas cracker from Cristiano was the pick of the goals in this rampant Boxing Day victory…
October 2013: Sunderland 1 United 2
This game will live long in the memory for many United fans for one simple reason: Adnan Januzaj.
The Black Cats took the lead early on, but Januzaj, on his first start for the Reds, was on hand to save the day.
The Belgian drew United level just shy of the hour mark with a strong first-time effort after arriving into the penalty area late, already sealing a dream full debut.
But he wasn’t done there. Watching as a floated Nani cross was headed away by the hosts defence, the ball fell straight into the path of Januzaj and he struck it first time, volleying home what proved to be the winner on the day, before being smothered by his grateful United team-mates.
Sunderland 1 United 2 Video
Sunderland 1 United 2
5 October 2013: Academy graduate Adnan Januzaj makes his mark on his first senior start for the club…
April 2017: Sunderland 0 United 3
Our most recent Premier League clash with Sunderland saw us come up against former Reds boss David Moyes in the dugout.
Our trip to the Stadium of Light, which United will revisit next season for the first time in eight years, was another positive experience, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford all getting on the scoresheet against a young Jordan Pickford between the sticks.
Ibrahimovic’s effort was the pick of the bunch, starting with his back to goal outside the penalty area, before finding an angle to power a driven effort beyond Pickford, breaking the deadlock and securing his 28th goal of the season.
The Reds will hope we can pull through some of that positive energy for our two league meetings next term.
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Monday 26 May 2025 11:59
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