Manchester United vs Sunderland Preview: Fergie Aims To Re-Write Failure of 1995

I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of déjà vu. It makes everything seem a little rehashed and unoriginal. However, there is a sense of re-writing history in a number of ways as Manchester United enter the penultimate week in this years improbable and unpredictable Premier League season.

Its not just the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson and his squad face the opportunity to record the unprecedented feat of a fourth-straight title, it goes much deeper than that.

After all, the last day of the 1994-1995 season represented one of the most disappointing in Manchester United's history. Going into the final fixture, Sir Alex Ferguson's side needed a win to steal the crown from local rivals Blackburn Rovers. Unfortunately, United were unable to capitalize from Blackburn's defeat to Liverpool, and lost the title as a result.

The disappointment brought on by such a failure became the catalyst for an overhaul within the United camp. Mark Hughes, Paul Ince, and Andrei Kanchelskis were all given their marching orders as Ferguson aimed to consolidate United's grasp on the title once again. The change saw the emergence of David Beckham, Gary Neville, and Paul Scholes and others who would establish a monopoly within the domestic game.

United face an eerily similar situation this weekend when they travel to the Stadium of Light to face a Sunderland side that has lost just two home games all season.

As in 1995, United face the proposition of relying on their arch enemies Liverpool to defy their fans pleas of throwing the game in order to allow the Red Devils the opportunity of stealing the title away from their fellow title-challengers.

And that is not all. This upcoming summer may very well reveal the beginning of a transition phase that marks the end of the same players that Ferguson promoted to the first team following Blackburn's sole Premier League trophy.

However, amidst all of the conspiracy theories and headline stories, the onus will again be placed on United to ensure that they either take advantage of any dropped points by Chelsea or maintain close proximity to their London rivals as both march into the final weekend.

Fortunately for Ferguson, Sunday's match pits him against a former pupil. Steve Bruce learned much of his managerial expertise by experiencing first-hand the tactical skills that enabled his mentor to be one of the most successful coaches in the game.

Sunderland however, shouldn't be taken lightly. This is the same Black Cats side that managed to steal a point at Old Trafford in a closely-fought 2-2 draw back in October. Having finally emerged from a disappointing midseason run, the Black Cats have regained the confident, sweeping form that enabled them to dispose of both Arsenal and Liverpool at home this season.

Much of this has been down to the wonderful form of an impressive forward line comprising of Darren Bent, Kenwyne Jones, and former United striker Frazier Campbell, all of whom have contributed in a run that has seen Sunderland lose just once in their last 17.

The trio have rejuvenated Bruce's team as evidenced by the goals they collectively created in their last two matches, albeit against lowly Burnley and Hull City.

In both games, Jones and Campbell were able to work effectively off of Bent, supplying him with headers that put him into goalscoring positions.

Bent and Jones were also key figures at Old Trafford to scare the hosts into a frenzied late comeback. Only an Anton Ferdinand own-goal managed to save United's blushes.

Manchester United however, have far more formidable rearguards than both of the league's worst form teams. Part of the reason why Bent was able to capitalise from the good teamwork provided by his strike partners was the fact that both the Clarets and the Tigers left far too much between centre-half and full-back for on-rushing wingers to exploit.

In October, United were just as guilty. In affording Bent and Jones too much room, the duo were able to take advantage mercilessly. Bent's goal in particular, a 20-yard shot into the bottom corner, occurred largely because United's defense failed to close him down, allowing him to confidently advance on goal.

With the expected return of Rio Ferdinand, United should be at full-strength to cope with Sunderland's attacking flair. Ferdinand's presence was sorely missed against Sunderland in their last fixture. His composure should add a level of confidence and leadership in United's back-line. The inexperience of Ben Foster and the building partnership between Jonny Evans and Nemanja Vidic was cruelly exposed by Sunderland's forward line.

Darren Fletcher will likely be given the responsibility of cutting the supply to the Black Cats' attacking trio by closely marking Steed Malbranque. The former Fulham midfielder provides Bruce's side with considerable attacking flair, and is integral to Sunderland's capacity to advance quickly and feed the ball into effective channels.

United however should have their own attacking weapons available. Since their last meeting with the Black Cats, Nani has emerged out of the doldrums as one of the league's most talented wingers. The Portuguese starlet provided sufficient evidence of his talent against Tottenham last weekend in which he sublimely chipped Heurelho Gomes when it looked as if the Red Devils had run out of ideas.

Last weekend's performance also displayed a more confident Dimitar Berbatov, whose individual effort was necessary in the buildup to Ryan Giggs' first penalty. He will hope that he will have convinced Ferguson enough to be included in tandem with Wayne Rooney, if the latter is able to join the fray.

Exploiting the wing-play of Nani and Antonio Valencia will be necessary to provide United's striker(s) with quality service as United look to take advantage of the absentees in Sunderland's defence, namely the suspension handed to first choice full-back Alan Hutton and hamstring injury to center-half John Mensah who faces a race to be fit for Sunday's clash.

Midfielder Lee Cattermole may also miss out with a calf problem, further adding to the Black Cats' defensive woes.

Ferguson will hope that such tactics work in delivering the crushing blow necessary to overcome a Sunderland side with little to play for after avoiding relegation and unable to challenge for a European spot.

Even so, the magnitude of the occasion that awaits them will be enough. Despite the events at Anfield, the responsibility rests upon United to do what they were unable to do against West Ham over a decade ago. Any slip ups this time round will ensure that the title is bestowed to Chelsea. Liverpool fans might just like the sound of that.