Yorke back in the firing line

AS one ex-Manchester United hero misses out on the chance to pit his wits against the club which made him famous, so opportunity knocks for another former Reds star, Dwight Yorke.

Roy Keane’s departure from Sunderland yesterday was predictable given the club’s struggles this season and words of self-doubt from the manager.

The Wearside club will be looking for a new boss in the next few weeks, but for now first–team coach Ricky Sbragia, formerly on the coaching staff at United, is the man in charge, starting with the visit to Old Trafford tomorrow (5.30pm).

And assisting him will be ex-United striker Dwight Yorke, who became a hero with the Reds fans for his lethal partnership with Andrew Cole.

Yorke and Sunderland reserve–team coach Neil Bailey, another former member of United’s backroom staff, will help to marshall the troops from the touchline, but they and Sbragia will be acutely aware of the enormity of the task facing the Black Cats.

Sunderland occupy a bottom-three spot, despite Keane’s estimated £70m spending spree since his arrival at the club two-and-a-half years ago.

They have a first-team squad of 39 players and there is a school of thought that it is too large to manage, a lack of continuity in selection being blamed for their woes this season.

While anything picked up at Old Trafford would be viewed as a bonus, Sunderland’s next two fixtures could prove critical to their Premier League survival hopes.

After tomorrow’s fixture, Sunderland have winnable games at home to bottom club West Brom and away to Hull City.

For their part, United will be looking to crank up the pressure on the pacesetting Liverpool and Chelsea after last weekend’s results went their way in no uncertain terms.

United, who have games in hand, are only six points behind Liverpool and five adrift of Chelsea.