Manchester United will be hoping to avoid a third successive league defeat when they travel to Sunderland on Saturday.

David Moyes's side have dropped to 12th place in the table after last weekend's 2-1 reversal at the hands of West Bromwich Albion.

United come into the match at the Stadium of Light following Wednesday night's draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Managerless Sunderland will also be looking for a win to haul themselves off the bottom of the Premier League.

The Black Cats have lost five of their six league games so far this season, including last Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool.

Caretaker-manager Kevin Ball will be without injured defenders Wes Brown and Phil Bardsley, while Andrea Dossena is expected to be out due to a thigh injury.

For United, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney could return to the side after both missed the midweek match against Shakhtar. Tom Cleverley may retain his place in the starting XI after completing 90 minutes in Ukraine.

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/sunderland/preview/preview-sunderland-vs-man-utd_108864.html

Giggs has blamed the players, not the manager, for United’s woeful start.

The clash against Shakhtar saw 39-year-old Giggs come on as a second-half substitute to move ahead of former Real Madrid striker Raul as the leading appearance-maker in Champions League history. But the man appointed player-coach by Moyes in the summer is more concerned with ironing out the early-season problems that have brought unwanted pressure on Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor.

‘I can’t put my finger on what’s happened,’ said Giggs. ‘We have just not played as well as we can both individually and as a team.

‘We know the quality in the dressing-room. We’re the champions so we showed that quality last year and we have to show it again.

‘Sir Alex was a great manager and a great influence on the team and the club. You are going to miss someone like that. But I don’t think that is an excuse when individuals aren’t playing as well as they can.

‘We are not playing well as a team. We haven’t got injury problems as we have had in the past – there is no excuse.’

Giggs might have had Rio Ferdinand in mind when he said that. Both of the goals that led to Manchester United’s 2-1 loss at home to West Bromwich Albion last weekend went through Ferdinand’s leg. But he took to Twitter to apologize for his dodgy performances.

When a fan told him on Twitter ‘I love your defending’, the United defender replied: ‘You missed my last couple of games obviously #WillDoBetter’.

http://observerreports.com/2013/10/epl-week-7-preview-manchester-united/

up sunderland!!!!!!

Always a dry thread

United please don't dissapiont me this week. Please.

gameboy727: United please don't dissapiont me this week. Please.

You never see anything!!! If dem no win MaNU make i know wetin cause am.

I hope we win!

United to win 0-3. Quote me after full time.

Our season starts today, we really need 2 bounce back, am confident with d squad, they have been in this situations before and hopefully they'll turn it around. I predict a comfortable 4 0 scoreline. Up Utd!!

Am nt sayn dat united wil lose, buh all i knw is dat sunderland wil win!

Glory Glory Man united *GGMU*
Click like if u think man united will win today.

gameboy727: United please don't dissapiont me this week. Please.

Please pray & fast before the match to see if u can change the score line. Sun 2: Mu 1. Lol

this match na 2-1 , united will be divided today trust me . from an arsenal fan

Who did this? To this lovely baby

nelskals: this match na 2-1 , united will be divided today trust me . from an arsenal fan

LIKE if you want MANUTD to WIN

United suppose win oOOo!
Else, OK

gameboy727: United please don't dissapiont me this week. Please.

they won't trust me

nelskals: this match na 2-1 , united will be divided today trust me . from an arsenal fan

Concentrate on winning yours.

moyes shuld start kagawa,he's manu 3rd best player. Startin him is a no brainer for me,jux cnt undstnd moyes on his preference on ashley young.

Man.United have had a dangerously floppy start this season. I guess it is the aftermath of Alex Ferguson's retirement. I believe they would get over this,and improve on their performance.


United for life!

JMOI: For United,Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney could return to the side after both missed the midweek match against Shakhtar.

WTF!!!!!!!

Moyes ll be sacked soon.
Full time score
Sunderland 2-1 Man Utd.

man u is kickn as.s ds season. RIP to already debunked united.

match stats:

Sunderland have won just eight points from a possible
72 in their 24 previous matches versus Manchester
United in the Premier League.
Manchester United have conceded only four goals in
their last 13 Premier League games against Sunderland.
Sunderland have conceded seven goals (half of their
total conceded) in the final 15 minutes of Premier
League matches this season – a league-high.
Wayne Rooney has scored only four goals from a direct
free kick in Premier League history – three of those
have come in his last three appearances in the
competition.
Sunderland have lost four consecutive Premier League
games, the last time they lost five on the bounce was in
March 2006 (six games in a row).

i've been with them in times of victory and i'm not gonna back off now. GGMU!

Please dont play giggs.
De Gea should improve.
Kagawa should play.
RvP should be given good passes.

If all these are done, MAN U will WIN...

write2obi: My word for Arsenal fans: "8-2", for Liverpool fans "5years and counting" for Chelsea fan "Am still Champion" Reporting for duty ObiDred GGMU!! Champion of England!

You need to realize 4-1 reason that if you 1-2 beat West Brom, you need contact Liverpool for 1 thing

Manunited downfall strted wit d releasing of sir Alex former Assistant manager Mike Phelan, first team coach Rene Meulensteen and Steele were released over moyes novice backstaff.

When a fan told him on Twitter ‘I love your defending’, the United defender replied: ‘You missed my last couple of games obviously #WillDoBetter’[b][/b]
The fan means otherwise, thank God Rio knew.