Sunderland

Nick Barnes, Marco Gabbiadini and Simon Pryde have been discussing Sunderland's academy on BBC Radio Newcastle and how the under 23s and first team have supported one another this season.

A number of the under-21s squad have been used on the bench in the Premier League this campaign, including the Jones brothers - Jaydon and Jensen - and Jack Whittock.

But Gabbiadini believes the likelihood of the academy players breaking through into the first team now that Sunderland are in the Premier League for another season is slimmer.

"The route to the first team is the biggest problem for any young player," the former Black Cats striker said. "Many of them have been on the bench this season, but will they have many on the bench next season?

"I'm not knocking the lads, but that has been a big difference between us and a lot of teams this season.

"It depends on recruitment this summer and it depends on Regis le Bris' core squad, how it's fleshed out in the summer and the quality he brings into that."

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Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been named on a six-man shortlist for the Premier League's manager of the season award.

The 50-year-old is nominated alongside Brentford's Keith Andrews, Manchester United's Michael Carrick, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta, Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola.

The winner will be decided by a combination of a public vote and panel of football experts.

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Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini has been discussing Regis le Bris' goal of squad stability with BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes and Simon Pryde.

After the Black Cats signed 14 players last summer, it is expected to be a quieter window this time round with Le Bris wanting a few additions to add to the squad which has will finish midtable in the clubs' first season back in the Premier League.

"This season gives us a strong platform with 14 new signings," he said.

"The connection and performances have been good. There is room for improvement, it's important to build on the foundations we have created together because we feel we have so much to do with this club.

"It's still important to add two, three, four players to help the starting XI and the 16-man core of the squad."

Gabbiadini added: "It was an incredible summer.

"They weren't exactly household names but you could see where the ideas were coming from and Granit Xhaka was the icing on the cake. Keeping them first and foremost is going to be the biggest part of the summer and then it goes into adding something to it.

"Four sounds pretty conservative but it would certainly help. Some managers don't like a big squad.

"You have also then got to be reactionary in the transfer window if you have a small squad and something happens injury-wise. It should be an easier summer for us and you would like to think there will be more players wanting to come to a club like Sunderland after seeing what we've done [this season]."

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BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes says some of the football played in Saturday's home draw against Manchester United was "the best we've seen from Sunderland this season".

Despite failing to find the net in the goalless stalemate, the Black Cats limited United to just one shot on target, had higher possession and registered an xG (expected goals) of 1.17 compared to the visitor's 0.66.

"I think it was a big performance against a good team. You'd have to say the result was positive although it was only a draw," Barnes said.

"It was a really good performance backed up with a lot of players playing well.

"We have talked about Sunderland plateauing this past month or two but I thought some of the football on Saturday was the best we've seen from Sunderland this season.

"You could see the triangles moving up the pitch, everybody kept in close contact with each other quick passing, and Manchester United were struggling to come to terms with that speed. I thought some of the passing that Sunderland were putting together was very impressive.

"The only low point was the start of the second half when I felt they were struggling to get into the game, but I think the crowd then got behind them and got them re-energised. I thought that overall, that was one of the best performances I've seen from Sunderland this season."

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A "third summer of consecutive major transformation" in infrastructure at Sunderland carries with it an "element of risk", says former Black Cats striker Marco Gabbiadini.

The proposed developments include multi-million pound investment in stadium infrastructure, premium executive boxes, a new LED perimeter advertising system, and investment being made in the Academy of Light to further develop elite performance environments for the men's teams, the women's team and the academy teams.

The club say the changes are "designed to enhance experience for supporters, players, partners and staff".

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Gabbiadini said: "We had massive job cuts after the first relegation and even bigger ones on the second relegation,"

"This is basically just getting the club back up to where it was at that stage and probably a little bit more as well.

"So, you know, the sad reality is that if we did get relegated, a lot of these jobs would go again.

"I suppose the way to think for the leadership group is that if we get all this stuff right, if we get more substance in what's going on behind the scenes, then it's not just about the players.

"You've got to really believe that you're still going to be in at the status that we are in at the moment so there is an element of risk to it.

"I know that it was very upsetting for a lot of people because obviously a lot of the staff are local and when when those two relegations happened they really affected a lot of people and ripped the heart out of the football club for a long time.

"It wasn't just people working there, I know a lot of fans stopped going to games and didn't renew season tickets and haven't been back.

"I think now they're looking at it with the advent of parachute payments with the infrastructure they're building and their assumption would be if the worst came to the worst and they were relegated then, like most Premier League teams who have gone down in recent years, they would come back within one or two years."

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Reporter James Copley says he "couldn't have predicted Sunderland to do this well" in their first season back in the Premier League since the 2016–17 season, as Regis le Bris' team occupy 12th in the table.

The Sunderland Echo journalist believes the Black Cats have had "an amazing season" and highlighted some of his favourite moments.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Copley said: "It's been absolutely fantastic, it's been unbelievable.

"There has been so many great moments. I don't think we could have predicted Sunderland to do this well at the start of the season.

"It has been an amazing season with so many high points.

"The two wins over Newcastle were very special. I could go back to the opening day against West Ham, that was a fantastic result and performance, a real feel-good factor around the Stadium of Light.

"Other highlights were Arsenal, 2-2 at home, that was a really good display. Bournemouth as well, that was a really special atmosphere. Chelsea away was fantastic, there's been a lot.

"They've delivered a lot this season and they deserve an immense amount of credit, the staff and the players deserve the plaudits."

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Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini gave his thoughts on the side's performance against Manchester United at the weekend and lamented the lack of clinical finishing.

The Black Cats have failed to score in 13 of their 36 Premier League games, only Wolves (19) and Nottingham Forest (14) have failed to score more often in the Premier League this season.

"It's a strange one because you're sort of pleased with the performance and I thought every player played a part and as a team they were excellent but they just couldn't find that final touch because that's what it was," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"We got into great positions, we got in behind the defence, we rattled them, we played forward quickly, we did just about everything right except unfortunately the hardest bit of football and that's putting it in the back of the net. It could have been a very different result because there were three or four really good chances but that's why goal scorers are so highly cherished."

Brian Brobbey is Sunderland's top scorer in the league this season with six goals while Chemsdine Talbi has four.

Gabbiadini added: "I was watching Callum Wilson for West Ham. He comes on and within a couple of minutes he's had a couple of shots on target and caused problems. Players like that just have it in them that they want to go for goal. It's the desire to get in the right position and finish it off.

"Brobbey got clear through and if you watch it back on slow motion he should have hit it. He sort of took another stride and if he had hit it before that stride he would have beat the goalkeeper because the goalkeeper was adjusting his feet and that's the instinct I think that real goal scorers have. What a [Jermain] Defoe would have."

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Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann has outlined his idea to improve how corners are officiated in future.

In the aftermath of weekend controversy over players grappling in the penalty area, he has told BBC Sport a rule whereby attacking players cannot enter the six-yard box until a corner has been taken would be his preference.

Ex-Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha backed the idea and thinks it will add "creativity" to corner kicks and the move would force "people to think in a different way".

You can watch a clip of the debate above, with Onuoha stating:"Twenty players standing in the six-yard box, you have to ask yourself, is that what you want to see? And is that the best version of the game?"

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Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

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Sunderland really couldn't have done much more against Manchester United on Saturday in what was a thoroughly dominant performance - that is, of course, except hit the back of the net!

It's been a common frustration of mine with the team at times this season that we aren't quite as clinical as other sides at this level. If you think back to the game against Nottingham Forest a few weeks ago, they'd had five shots on target in the first half and were 4-0 up. It feels like with us that we need five or six clear-cut chances in a game in order to stick one of them away and at this level that's just not good enough unfortunately.

Yet I don't want to be too critical of the team's performance because other than our ability to convert our chances, we were excellent. There was only ever one team in the game, and I don't remember Manchester United ever really having a spell of dominance, which is a testament to how well we did.

Enzo Le Fee and Granit Xhaka were on a different wavelength from any of the midfield players in opposition shirts and our pressing and harrying made them visibly uncomfortable. It was great to see us mixing it with one of the best sides in the league this season and it was once again proof of what we're capable of.

Any hopes of qualifying for Europe seem a distant memory, but all we can do is fight and battle like we did on Saturday in these final two games and from then our fate is in the lap of the gods.

We certainly aren't on the beach yet and I'm hoping for a brilliant end to what has been a brilliant season from Sunderland.

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Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini believes that Regis le Bris' side could still be in with a chance of finishing in the European places, despite sitting 12th in the table.

"A lot of teams are fighting and playing each other in this little middle group and no-one wants to give an inch so if we did win the last two games, it could make a huge difference," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

There could be up to nine Premier League clubs in Europe next season - six in the Champions League, two in the Europa League and one in the Conference League.

"It's still there for us as a carrot but it is a little bit disappointing. When we look back in a few months' time at the way the season went, we have just faded away a little bit towards the end," added Gabbiadini.

The Black Cats have won 12, drawn 12 and lost 12 of their 36 matches this term since returning to the Premier League for the first time since the 2016-17 season.

"We've got this small squad that the manager likes to use. Once it goes deeper than that, sometimes we have got issues. He hasn't got three or four strikers to choose from who have played in the Premier League before and got experience," said Gabbiadini.

"They are the bits that we have got to improve on. We haven't got a Callum Wilson or a Harvey Barnes to come off the bench. If we had players like that, they would probably be starting - that's the difference between us and an established Premier League side.

"We've established a great foothold in the Premier League and made it look easy staying up this season, but the next step is to score a few more goals."

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Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki has not ruled out leaving the Stadium of Light this summer. (Voetbal Nieuws - in Dutch), external

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester United.

Here are some of your comments:

Sunderland fans

Jacky: Good game. Sunderland by far the better team on the day. We were unlucky not to score, receive a pen and we hit the post. A point before the game would have been nice but disappointed not to win after such a good performance. No wonder their keeper got man of the match.

Peter: This game represented Sunderland's season. Solid in defence with some top-class interplay. But sadly clinical finishing has cost us a European spot. A great season that could have been fantastic.

Michael: Excellent all-round except the finishing. That is the last piece of the jigsaw for this team. Get that right and we will be a real force in the Premier League. Much better than United by far.

Jura: Another wasted opportunity to get maximum points because we struggle to score goals.

Man Utd fans

Andrew: Poor display by United, there was no urgency in trying to win the ball or win the game. United did not start to play until the last five minutes. I hope this effort was just a one-off or the Champions League is going to be short-lived.

Paul: Again a very under-par performance and couldn't have complained if the result had gone against them. Very poor forward play and midfield were always being pressured by a team who seemed more up for the challenge.

Mark: Sunderland certainly deserved a win. United were overrun by a team who fought better and had chances to win. United unfortunately were lethargic.

KB: United played like a team that had reached its objectives and it didn't really matter any more. Not a great watch.

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka says they "should be proud" of what they have achieved this season as the primary aim was to just stay up.

Following Saturday's goalless draw against Manchester United, there has been a lot of media talk around the Black Cats lack of a clinical edge.

When asked by BBC Radio Newcastle if they have struggled to score goals this season, Xhaka replied: "Is it enough if you get 48 points? Don't forget where we have come from.

"The demands from the outside is big and we are demanding of each other as well to score goals and not concede many.

"This is our first season together with many new faces. It takes time, so we just have to be proud of what are doing at the moment because we are having a great season.

"The target was to survive, get as many points as possible and see where we were at the end.

"Now in the last two games we want to give everything and be proud of ourselves."

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Match of the Day pundit Ashley Williams believes Nilson Angulo should have been sent off for hitting his forearm in the side of Bruno Fernandes' face in Sunderland's 0-0 draw with Manchester United in the Premier League.

"He's a very lucky boy," said Williams. "I don't know what he's thinking.

"It's not a running action and he's clearly tried to elbow him in the face. He's caught him with the forearm.

"We've heard since that because it was the forearm and not the elbow, or it wasn't enough contact, that it's not a red card.

"It is a red card because it's a naughty challenge and he's very lucky to have not been sent off."

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Ashley Williams join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Fulham 0-1 Bournemouth

• Sunderland 0-0 Manchester United

• Manchester City 3-0 Brentford

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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If any side deserved to win, it was Sunderland.

Regis le Bris' side have now kept 11 clean sheets - an impressive return for a newly promoted side, and a major reason why they have stayed well clear of relegation trouble and even flirted with the European spots. On this occasion, they deserve more praise because key man Dan Ballard was missing through suspension.

What they lack is a clinical edge.

Lutsharel Geertruida's shot was impressive, but it was Noah Sadiki who should have scored.

The game was still in its infancy when the Manchester United goal gaped in front of him. But he never truly looked as though he would come out on top in his one-to-one duel with Lammens. Sadiki tried to find the corner, but Senne Lammens read where the Congo international was going to go.

For the final couple of weeks, Sunderland's ambition will be to finish above Newcastle, who are three points behind with a game in hand.

After that, Le Bris will look to improve on what has been a solid and very successful top-flight return.

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We probably created enough chances to win the game, but chances don't always mean goals. When we got the momentum and the chances, we weren't clinical enough.

"The Premier League is very demanding so when you don't score, you are always on the edge. But, overall, I think the lads did well.

"We have many young lads so it is about experience and maturity, I think, in terms of finishing chances off. For example, Noah [Sadiki]'s one in the first half was brilliant, but it wasn't the usual situation for him so he wasn't so confident, but I think it's going to be a good platform for the future."

On getting a clean sheet: "It was important to be back to our foundations. Over the past two weeks, the boys were excellent during our training sessions. They were committed with a strong togetherness, and we are always hard to beat when we have this mindset. I think it's a positive for our future as well.

"We were well-prepared for this game. We know that every team has many game changes in this league, especially Manchester United, so if you're not alert then they will punish you. From the last game at home, it was tough but the experience was useful."

On finding a solution to replace Dan Ballard: "We aren't a big group but the core of this group is really good. We have versatility and the ability to adapt. We also showed that even if we need to change our backline, we can be strong."

On being frustrated with only getting a draw: "It is a good sign, especially for our first year in the Premier League after eight years. It's good, it shows our season has been excellent so far. If we're disappointed at home after a draw against Manchester United, it is a good sign for the club."

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Did you know?

• Sunderland have earned 48 points in the Premier League this season (W12 D12 L12), only earning more in a campaign in the competition in 1999-00 (58) and 2000-01 (57).

• Sunderland have failed to score in 13 of their 36 games - only Wolves (19) and Nottingham Forest (14) have failed to score more often in the Premier League this season.

• Only against Everton in November and Newcastle in March (both 17) have Sunderland attempted more shots in a Premier League match this season than their 15 against Manchester United.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Sunderland's performance

What did you make of Man Utd's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Dan Ballard is suspended after getting sent off for pulling Tolu Arokodare's hair at Wolves last week.

Lutsharel Geertruida replaces Ballard in central defence as the only change from the draw at Molineux.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Geertruida, Alderete, Reinildo, Xhaka, Sadiki, Hume, Le Fee, Talbi, Brobbey.

Substitutes: Ellborg, Cirkins, Angula, Rigg, Mayenda, O'Nien, Isidor, Diarra, Bi.

Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko both miss out for Manchester United as Michael Carrick makes five changes to the side that beat Liverpool.

Manuel Ugarte is absent as well, so Kobbie Mainoo takes up a deeper midfield role and Mason Mount starts in the Premier League for the first time since December.

Lisandro Martinez is back after a three-game ban, while Noussair Mazraoui replaces Diogo Dalot at right-back and Joshua Zirkzee starts his fifth Premier League game of the season.

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, Mainoo, Mount, Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Zirkzee.

Substitutes: Bayindir, Dalot, Malacia, Dorgu, Heaven, Yoro, J Fletcher, T Fletcher, Mbeumo.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Liverpool v Chelsea (12:30)

• Brighton v Wolves

• Fulham v Bournemouth - listen BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Sunderland v Manchester United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Manchester City v Brentford (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Bournemouth" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v Brentford", for instance.

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Last Sunday's win over Liverpool was another big result for Manchester United boss Michael Carrick, especially because it secured Champions League qualification.

People forget what a rabble United were when he took over as head coach in January and he has brought a bit of calmness to the club.

United have got to make a decision about his future at the end of the season and can you imagine if they don't give him the job on a long-term basis? Mind you, I wouldn't be sure about United given some of the decisions they have made in the recent past.

In terms of this game, going to Sunderland is still a tough game - even though the Black Cats were walloped 5-0 by Nottingham Forest last time out at the Stadium of Light.

I keep backing Sunderland and keep being wrong about them. Their minds may be on the beach a bit, but I can see them getting a point here.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here