KIERAN RICHARDSON picked up a knock in training on Friday and misses today's game against his former side.
The news is a huge blow to Ricky Sbragia who starts with his first choice strike force of Djibril Cisse and Kenwyne Jones as he looks to take the game to Manchester United.
Teemu Tainio has recovered from a knee problem and returns to a midfield that includes Grant Leadbitter, Carlos Edwards and Andy Reid.
Calum Davenport partners Anton Ferdinand at the heart of the Sunderland back four but Alex Ferguson's men are clearly going for a victory with Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez all starting.
Centre half Jonny Evans is also in the United line-up and is expected to receive a rousing reception from the Stadium of Light crowd after starring in two loans spells on Wearside.
The strength in United's squad is underlined by the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs are included among their substitutes.
Sunderland (4-4-2): Gordon,Bardsley,Davenport,Ferdinand,Collins,Edwards,Leadbitter,Tainio,Reid,Cisse,Jones
Subs:
Fulop,McShane,Ben-Haim,Malbranque,Yorke,Colback,Murphy
Man United (4-4-2): Foster,Neville,Vidic,Evans,O'Shea,Park,Scholes,Carrick,Tevez,Rooney,Berbatov
Subs:
Kuszcazak,Evra,Nani,Anderson,Giggs,Ronaldo,Macheda
** READ A FULL REPORT AND ANALYSIS OF TODAY'S GAME IN MONDAY'S NORTHERN ECHO **
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