Part of that ruthlessness has come in the guise of Anthony Martial, who has four goals in his past four games. Every one makes that £36m price tag a little lighter. However, there is an interesting theory going round in France apparently...

For a team looking to tighten up at the back, Sunderland could come up against a lethal Manchester United side today. 

Image source, BBC Sport

Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat on his side conceding 10 of their 13 Premier League goals in the first half: “We cannot win in 45 minutes, we have to play 90. We have to be organised and we will create chances but most importantly we must not concede easy goals.”

BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Reuters

The Telegraph’s North East reporter Luke Edwards was on BBC Radio 5 live last night.

"There’s not been much to get optimistic about for Newcastle or Sunderland. It’s a very miserable time for both clubs. 

"Sunderland are so used to this, depressingly so. They’ve become relegation escape act specialists. 

"They’re both the shining example of what's wrong with the Premier League. They're worried about going down so won’t take a  risk on youngsters. They would rather go abroad than give one of their own a chance."

Sunderland sit bottom of the Premier League and Manchester United are second, but Dick Advocaat has only lost once in 10 games as a manager against Louis van Gaal teams. If anyone needs a result today, it is Dick.

Louis van Gaal makes five changes to the Manchester United side that beat Ipswich in the Capital One Cup in midweek. Anthony Martial is back in the side after appearing from the bench on Wednesday, while Matteo Darmian will start at left-back instead of Ashley Young. Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin and Michael Carrick are all included. 

Image source, Opta

Sunderland make four changes after they were thumped 4-1 by Manchester City in the same competition. Costel Pantilimon, Billy Jones and Younes Kaboul return to the defence, while Lee Cattermole starts instead of injured midfielder Jack Rodwell.   

Image source, Opta

Right let's break from the chat for now, time for some team news. 

Sunderland's last victory at Old Trafford was a recent one, a 1-0 win in May 2014. Alas that is the Black Cats' only victory here since 1968. 

Good job that Wayne Rooney hasn't been scoring much in the Premier League then. The Manchester United striker has four goals in other competitions, though.

Image source, BBC Sport

Double Dutch at Old Trafford today as Louis van Gaal welcomes his former Sparta Rotterdam team-mate Dick Advocaat to town. The Premier League table might make grim reading for the visiting manager, whose team are bottom of the pile, but there is a glimmer of hope. 

Image source, Getty Images