Chris Sutton makes Man Utd comparison as Sunderland prepare for Leeds United

Chris Sutton has compared recent comments made by Sunderland star Nordi Mukiele to Bruno Fernandes’ reaction to Manchester United’s defeat at Como ahead of the Black Cats’ home game with Premier League rivals Leeds United.

The Red Devils were comfortably beaten by the Serie A club in their latest Champions League clash in midweek and that led Fernandes to openly question the tactics implemented by head coach Michael Carrick as his side continue to struggle to find consistency. That came just days after team-mate Lisandro Martinez appeared to hit out at the transfer activity overseen by the Red Devils throughout the last two transfer windows.

Sunderland star Nordi Mukiele also caused debate when he hinted his side had been ‘arrogant’ in their approach to their defeat at Bournemouth last Sunday afternoon as they slipped to the bottom of the Premier League table for the first time this season. Regis Le Bris’ side followed up that loss with a 1-1 draw at Lech Poznan in their latest Europa League fixture on Thursday night and they will now look to return to winning ways when they host Leeds at the Stadium of Light this weekend.

Although conceding there could be questions asked by his team-mates, Sutton insisted Mukiele’s comments will not be as damaging as those made by Fernandes and Martinez and he backed the Black Cats to provide a reaction to what has been a difficult week.

‘Maybe we will see a reaction from Sunderland here’ - Chris Sutton

Writing in his BBC Sport predictions column, Sutton said: “Sunderland have killed me this season because I just don't seem to be able to predict them at all. The Black Cats are bottom of the table after losing four league games in a row and their boss Regis le Bris has a few problems to solve. One of them is having European football that stretches their squad - they are away in Poland on Thursday - but at least they will have striker Brian Brobbey back from injury at the weekend.

“After last weekend's loss at Bournemouth, Sunderland defender Nordi Mukiele suggested the Black Cats may have become "arrogant", but I don't see that outburst being as damaging as the ones by Manchester United players recently. Still, things like that are better kept inside the dressing room because some of Mukiele's team-mates will be asking him if he was calling them arrogant. I was never arrogant as a player, by the way, but people used to call me far worse than that in my day.

“Maybe we will see a reaction from Sunderland here, but I still don't see them winning this because Leeds are battle-hardened and are a good team too. They weren't at their best against Manchester United but still picked up a point, and they won't be leaving the Stadium of Light empty-handed. Sutton's prediction: 1-1”

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Your next Sunderland read: Robin Roefs’ furious reaction and Régis Le Bris’ surprise Sunderland switch – moments missed at Lech Poznań