Manchester United v Sunderland: Black Cats head to Old Trafford desperate to claw back some hope

Misery seems to be a feeling epitomised by the North East, with both Sunderland and their bitter rivals Newcastle United floundering at the bottom of the table when the season had promised so much.

Roll back four months and the feeling within Wearside was none other than optimism and euphoria. Somehow they had done it, escaped from the bitter abyss of relegation back to the second tier and instead, under the stewardship of Dick Advocaat, the club was looking forward to another season in the top flight.

What has followed since has been nothing short of shambolic, from the desperation to find a permanent manager only ended by the swift change of heart from Advocaat, Ellis Short's public defence of his ownership and worst of all the results on the pitch. The season which finally promised stability has only delivered misery.

An opening day defeat at the hands of Leicester City, home defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Norwich and thirteen goals conceded in six games by a defence looking ever the more vulnerable and it is no surprise that many head into the game against Manchester United without much hope.

Sunderland battered last time out

To make matters worse, the game takes place during the same week in which the team were swept aside 4-1 at home by a Manchester City side who barely had to escape from second gear. From top to bottom, Sunderland were outplayed to a man.

But, the coach still found some positives from the bewildering darkness as the team produced a spirited second half display to keep the scoreline at four and to even grab a goal for themselves, as Ola Toivonen, one of the better performers on the night, grabbed his first goal for the club with a well taken header.

Manchester United continue to improve

Their opponents in waiting contrastingly enjoyed a night of near total domination over Championship Ipswich Town as Louis Van Gaal's men cruised to a 3-0 win.

It was a welcome romp for Manchester United who are finally beginning to come together as a team at the worst possible time for Sunderland. A flurry of new players, including German world cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger, who brings an air of authority to the team, and the £38 million rated teen Anthony Martial, who has scored four goals in as many games since he made the controversial move to the Premier League, suggests Manchester United may be finally on their way back to their dominant best.

In their last league game, the Red Devils defeated Southampton 3-2 at St Mary's, with Martial grabbing two and, most importantly, David De Gea back in between the sticks.

Without playing the best of football, the team lie second with five wins and a draw from six games and will be hoping to ramp up the pressure on top spot.

Sunderland haunted by Old Trafford

Unfortunately Old Trafford does not present a happy hunting ground for Sunderland, nor does it for many teams. In the last five years the Black Cats have only won once, back in 2014 courtesy of a Sebastian Larsson goal - which was also their first win there since 1968. The 2014 win was one of the several on Sunderland's annual escape to safety. How Dick Advocaat must be hoping for a repeat.

However if there is one thing which Sunderland have over Manchester United going into this one it is that Dick Advocaat holds the better record over his fellow countryman. In what will be their tenth meeting as managers, Advocaat has won three to Van Gaal's one in the nine previous, with the last a 1-1 draw between Advocaat's Zenit St Petersburg and Van Gaal's AZ Alkmaar. In fact, the last one of the two to hold the upperhand was Advocaat way back in 1997, as PSV Eindhoven defeated Ajax.

Managerial rivalries often play out as an interesting backdrop to important fixtures but seldom have any baring on the actual fixture, but oh how the faithful making the journey to Manchester will be hoping for Advocaat to continue his dominance over Van Gaal.

Wes Brown set to return for Sunderland

With the defence clearly the worst of Advocaat's worries, as the partnership of Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Coates continues to be the worst of the lot, Sunderland look set to recall 35-year-old Wes Brown to the starting line-up for the first time this season. Brown, who sat on the bench on Tuesday, should bring some experience to a team which is going to need it.

Elsewhere, it is likely that the misfiring Jermain Defoe will be restored to the starting line-up as he seeks to get his third league goal of the season and kick start his own campaign. Defoe, who was brought in by Gus Poyet to get goals, has missed several key chances in recent weeks and has come in for some criticism from a section of the support. Additionally, Adam Johnson was back in the team for the first time since the opening day defeat and he could retain his place on either wing.

However, if Sunderland are hoping experience can get them out of the mess they are in, Manchester United's hopes will surely be on the shoulders of Anthony Martial as the teenager looks set to return to the starting line-up. He, along with Micheal Carrick, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay all sat out of the game against Ipswich and all look set to return.