Rare Manchester United shut-out the call for Sunderland clash

Manchester United have regularly proved a solid bet in ‘both teams to score’ markets so far this season, but can buck that trend at home to Sunderland this weekend.

At 4/5 to keep a clean sheet, United’s frail-looking backline will seldom have a better chance to combat the increasing criticism levelled at them by standing firm here.

Although Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have conceded a big 23 goals so far this term, it should be noted that they managed to keep a clean sheet in their last home league outing.

And that came against a West Ham side averaging significantly more than the goal per game that Saturday’s visitors Sunderland currently do.

Also of interest to punters should be United’s recent record against the Black Cats, which reads heavily in favour of Ferguson’s side.

Indeed, the Red Devils haven’t conceded in the past five meetings between these teams, whilst Martin O’Neill’s travellers have registered only once in their last six visits to Old Trafford.

United also haven’t lost to Sunderland in a league tie for some 15 years, a timespan which includes 20 encounters between the pair.

Therefore, punters may be interested in the 11/10 odds regarding a Manchester United win in which they aren’t breached on Saturday.

A solitary goal has been enough for United to emanate victorious in the two most recent meetings of the pair too, and the 1-0 win is priced at 15/2 here.

However, it looks wiser to simply invest in a home win in which the hosts don’t concede.

Factor in Sunderland’s horrific recent form, which includes only four wins from 24 games, and the blunt Black Cats look destined for more Old Trafford misery.

Striker Steven Fletcher, who has notched seven of the Mackems’ 17 league goals this term, is a doubt, making the visitors’ goal threat look yet more stagnant.

And it is certain that Ferguson, who could welcome back England international defender Phil Jones, will not tolerate the shipping of goals with such regularity in coming matches.

The 10/11 odds about a Manchester United win to nil therefore deserve serious attention here.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.