2. Jermain Defoe vs United’s centre backs
United might have the fourth best defensive record in the Premier League, but their performance against Swansea showed just how vulnerable they still are defensively. Their ability to defend set pieces is far from convincing and they have shown that they aren’t very good at keeping their heads as well. Although Sunderland don’t score too many goals, they are still a threat from set pieces.
When Sunderland signed Defoe in January, many thought that it would either help keep them up or prove to be an expensive mistake particularly with the threat of relegation looming large. While his record of two goals from five games for the Black Cats isn’t bad, the visitors want him fit and firing for the rest of the season. And if the visitors are going to get anything from the game, they will need him to take his chances and hope the defense holds firm.