Shaky Reds face test of character

MANCHESTER United may not be in a state of crisis, but there is no doubt that alarm bells are ringing at Old Trafford.

Successive Premier League defeats at the hands of Liverpool and Fulham preceded last Sunday’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Aston Villa in which 17-year-old Italian striker Federico Macheda scored a superb injury-time winner.

United’s defensive frailties were in evidence for long periods of the Villa game and they were there for all to see again on Tuesday night when the Reds were held to a 2-2 draw by Porto in the quarter-finals of the Champions’ League.

Even the most passionate of United fans would acknowledge they were flattered by their two most recent results which, coming on the back of a couple of heavy defeats, suggest they are vulnerable at Sunderland tomorrow.

United will probably be without the injured Rio Ferdinand once again and that could spell trouble for a defence which, after an amazing run of 13 clean sheets, has suddenly developed the jitters.

Those frailties simply have to stop if United are to hold at bay a Liverpool side gathering momentum as the title race enters its business stage.

Macheda’s late strike might have taken United back to the top, but they are only a point clear of the Merseysiders, albeit with a game in hand.

Sunderland, only three points clear of the relegation zone, will take great heart from United’s recent problems.

From being a fixture which promised little but defeat for the Black Cats, a game against the reigning champions at the Stadium Of Light suddenly offers the prospect of a positive result.

And goalkeeper Craig Gordon has called for his team-mates to adopt an attacking approach tomorrow.

'We're back at home and even though we're playing a good Manchester United side, we still think we can take something from the game,' he said.

“People will say we have no chance against United but football is strange - they lost at Fulham recently and no-one expected that.

“United are in a close race for the title and they will be nervous.

“If they are not 100 per cent on their game, we have to pounce. We are not expected to win so maybe we can relax and play some good football.”

Sunderland are managed by former United coaching staff employee Ricky Sbragia, whose first game in charge after taking over from Roy Keane saw the Black Cats succumb to a 90th-minute Nemanja Vidic winner at Old Trafford in December.

That 1-0 defeat saw Sunderland park 10 men in front of goalkeeper Gordon, but they are likely to be more adventurous tomorrow given home advantage and United’s defensive nerves.

They will also have the incentive of trying to save Sbragia’s job as the Sunderland boss admitted this week that he faces the sack if his team is relegated.

Victory for the Black Cats tomorrow would be a major bonus in the build-up to vital games against Hull (home) and West Brom (away).

Added Gordon: 'We've got plenty to do, we realise that, but we are ready to put in the hard work to make sure we are in the Premier League next season.

'We know we have a couple of huge games after tomorrow but it's wrong to look beyond the United game. We are focusing on that.”

Sunderland are expecting a crowd of around 45,000 and Gordon admitted: “The fans will have a big role to play.

“We have some tough home games to come, but with the crowd behind us we know we can get some good results.”