Manchester United go into their Boxing Day clash with Sunderland sixth in the Premier League and just four points off the top four.

Jose Mourinho’s side endured a tricky patch which saw them win just two of nine league matches, but three wins on the spin in the run up to Christmas has made the outlook a whole lot brighter at Old Trafford.

After three straight draws, United picked up victories over Tottenham, Crystal Palace, and most recently West Brom, in turn keeping the pressure on the top five.

The Red Devils are now just three points behind Spurs in fifth, who are only a point behind fourth place Arsenal after Arsene Wenger’s side suffered two successive losses before Christmas.

United will go into their game against Sunderland as heavy favourites to record a fourth straight victory, but former Red Devils boss David Moyes will have other ideas as he attempts to lead his side away from the bottom three.

The Black Cats beat Watford 1-0 at the Stadium of Light last weekend, and know that victory at Old Trafford could take them as high as 15th in the Premier League table.

With a home game against Middlesbrough to follow on New Year’s Eve, Mourinho may rotate his squad ahead of the visit of Sunderland, so here are THREE players who deserve a chance on Boxing Day…

Daley Blind

Although Matteo Darmian had a better game against West Brom last weekend, Mourinho may feel that more experience is needed over the Christmas period, and could call upon Daley Blind to deputise at left-back.

The Dutch international played the full 90 minutes in their 2-1 win over Crystal Palace last week, and it seems that Mourinho is willing to chop and change his full-backs over the course of the festive period to keep them all fit and fresh.

The Portuguese may even decide to play him at centre-back alongside Phil Jones, as you sense that Marcos Rojo, despite how well he is playing, is on the verge of a red card following two poor two-footed challenges and a square-up with Salomon Rondon against West Brom.

Also, Blind has two assists this season from defence and, against a Sunderland side who’ll likely sit back and make it difficult for United, Mourinho may need the 26-year-old’s influence in the final third as well.

Anthony Martial

With David Moyes likely to set his side up to frustrate and make it difficult for United, the hosts are going to need pace upfront and the ability to get the ball wide and make the pitch big.

Thus, Mourinho may call upon Anthony Martial to do just that.

The French international hasn’t hit the heights this season despite a stellar debut campaign in English football last time out, but a brace against West Ham and an assist against Everton in recent weeks suggests that he may be beginning to adapt to Mourinho’s ways.

United will need his pace and trickery on Monday to unlock the Sunderland defence, and it could be the catalyst for a better second half of the season for Martial.

Marcus Rashford

Mourinho said after the West Brom game that he may need to rest Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and so could look to Marcus Rashford to lead the line against the Black Cats.

Like Martial, the England striker has struggled for form this term compared to last season, when he established himself on the big stage, but a confident boost from Mourinho by giving him the lead striker’s role could be what he needs to hit those heights again.

Rashford hasn’t scored for United since their 4-1 win over Leicester on September 24, 15 appearances ago, but he could use his pace and willingness to run at defenders to his advantage against what is likely to be a stubborn Sunderland backline on Monday.