Opta Big Match Stats: Man United to get off the mark

Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney should be reunited at Sunderland

Opta's insights indicate that Man United will make amends for their loss to Swansea when they visit Sunderland...

Sunderland v Man United
Sunday, 16:00
Live on Sky Sports 1

Match Odds: Sunderland 5.24/1, Man United 1.774/5, The Draw 4.03/1

Man United ended 2013/14 with an identical away record to Chelsea and Man City (W10 D4 L5)

Man United's problems last season were almost Old Trafford exclusive: they had the ninth-best home record in the Premier League compared to an away record that was a mere point shy of being the division's strongest. They historically thrive at the Stadium of Light too, winning on seven of their past eight top-flight visits, including each of the latest three. Indeed, the Red Devils have never lost a league match there, with their last such defeat on Wearside being inflicted at Roker Park in 1997.

Best Bet: Back Man United to win @ 1.774/5

Sunderland have scored at least once in ten of their last 11 Premier League games

The extent to which Sunderland have struggled when entertaining Man United is emphasised by the Opta stat that the 20-time champions have conceded just two goals across their last seven Premier League trips there. However, the Black Cats netted on both the occasions that they hosted them last term, waiting only five minutes in the league meeting. Meanwhile, Man United have gone four competitive fixtures without a clean sheet, all of which were against sides who finished below them.

Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score @ 1.845/6

Wayne Rooney has scored 81 Premier League away goals, six short of Alan Shearer's all-time record

One of the few positives Man United could extract from their miserable season-starting reverse at home to Swansea was new skipper Rooney taking 53 minutes to open his 2014/15 account, whereas it was a mid-September penalty past Crystal Palace that got him off the mark in 2013. In addition to that, the popular 11.5n/a-rated top goalscorer contender has fired four times on his last four Premier League road trips.

Recommended Bet: Back Rooney to score @ 2.226/5