United Team News | Five changes for Sunderland away

Some interesting changes made by Michael Carrick

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Author | Liam C

Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday morning means that a win here will guarantee 3rd place in the Premier League. 

Michael Carrick rotates the side following the win over Liverpool, with Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko both missing out.

Manuel Ugarte is also absent, meaning Kobbie Mainoo drops into a deeper midfield role, while Mason Mount makes his first Premier League start since December.

At the back, Lisandro Martinez returns after serving a three-match suspension and Noussair Mazraoui comes in for Diogo Dalot at right-back. Joshua Zirkzee is handed only his fifth Premier League start of the campaign as United look to keep the momentum going.

Fan View from Liam C on GM Super News Kobbie Mainoo has hit form at the right time gmancsupernews.blogspot.com/2026/05/kobb...

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Team News in full:  Lammens, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Mainoo, Mount, Fernandes, Amad, Cunha, Zirkzee

A closer look at some of the changes

We understand Manuel Ugarte picked up a minor knock in training, while Casemiro was not deemed ready for today's game. The expectation is that the Brazilian should be back in contention next weekend. Benjamin Sesko, meanwhile, is still struggling with the shin problem that forced him off against Liverpool.

This feels like a huge afternoon for both Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee. Neither player has featured much since Michael Carrick took charge, so there is a real opportunity here to make an impression.

Mount had been putting together a strong run of performances before his injury in December and then suffered another frustrating setback shortly after Carrick arrived. Zirkzee's situation has been different. He has been fit and available, but has often found himself overlooked despite a lack of attacking consistency in the side.