Manchester United go into their Premier League encounter with Sunderland on Saturday afternoon looking to register their eighth win from 11 attempts in all competitions.
As for Sunderland, they travel to Old Trafford at the foot of the table after earning just two points from their first six top-flight fixtures.
During the early weeks of the season, much was made of Manchester United's lack of a cutting edge in the final third of the pitch, but since the international break, 10 goals from four fixtures seem to show that Louis van Gaal is close to finding the right formula at Old Trafford. Whereas after witnessing Sunderland gain a point at Aston Villa and impress against Tottenham Hotspur, albeit in a narrow defeat, boss Dick Advocaat must have believed that his floundering team had began to turn a corner.
United sit second in the table, just two points adrift of rivals Manchester City, who face a tricky trip to play Tottenham Hotspur on the same day.
Anthony Martial will be hoping to continue his excellent start at United against Sunderland. The French teenager has scored four goals in as many fixtures, while Wayne Rooney is still looking to net for the first time in the top flight this season, although he did claim the opener against Ipswich on Wednesday.
The omens do not look good for Sunderland. A disappointing start to the campaign has returned two points from six matches and they suffered a 4-1 home defeat against Manchester City in the League Cup on Tuesday.
What the managers say:
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal on Anthony Martial: "Now he is only living in a hotel. The big step is when he settles himself and his wife in a new environment.
"The player himself is keen to learn. He is an open guy, he is listening, watching and he is focusing on the matches.
"For a manager he is a very coachable player and that is also why I like him and I bought him."
Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat: "If you have a draw there [Old Trafford], you have a great result. They are a team who will fight for the championship.
"You have nothing to lose against United and if we are well organised and try to hurt them a bit then why not?
"Normally United would beat us but we can give them a really tough time. That will happen, you will see."
"You have nothing to lose against United and if we are well organised and try to hurt them a bit then why not?
"Normally United would beat us but we can give them a really tough time. That will happen, you will see."
Team News:
Despite making a 20-minute appearance in midweek, defender Phil Jones is unlikely to be considered for a starting role at the weekend, with the England international having to make do with a place among the substitutes.
Antonio Valencia could continue at right-back with Matteo Darmian potentially switching flanks, while Michael
Carrick and Morgan Schneiderlin are expected to be preferred to Bastian Schweinsteiger and Ander Herrera.
Club captain Lee Cattermole could return to the Sunderland midfield after Advocaat revealed that he had been pleased with his contribution against City.
DeAndre Yedlin may also be given the nod in one of the full-back positions, but both Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher may only make the bench if Advocaat deploys Fabio Borini at the head of a 4-5-1 formation.
Expected XI
Manchester United:
De Gea
Valencia
Smalling
Blind
Darmian
Carrick
Schneiderlin
Mata
Memphis
Rooney
Martial
Valencia
Smalling
Blind
Darmian
Carrick
Schneiderlin
Mata
Memphis
Rooney
Martial
Sunderland:
Pantilimon
Yedlin
Kaboul
Coates
van Aanholt
M'Vila
Cattermole
Toivonen
Lens
Larsson
Borini
Yedlin
Kaboul
Coates
van Aanholt
M'Vila
Cattermole
Toivonen
Lens
Larsson
Borini
Prediction:Manchester united 3-0 Sunderland
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