Louis Van Gaal has had a few battles with and against Dick Advocaat over the years, and another one comes in the shape of Manchester United vs Sunderland, when the two teams clash in the English Premier League on Saturday.

The match at Old Trafford looks like going only one way, considering the two teams' form, with Manchester United on an upward curve after Premier League wins over Liverpool and Southampton, while Sunderland are yet to pick up a victory this season.

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There were contrasting fortunes for the two teams in midweek as well, with Sunderland losing to Manchester City, while United eased past Ipswich Town in the League Cup third round.

While Manchester United are second in the Premier League at the moment, just two points behind City, Sunderland find themselves rock bottom, with the fact that their big rivals Newcastle United also have the same amount of points scant consolation.

"There's nothing to lose against United," Advocaat said. "If we are well organised and try to hurt them as well, then why not? It's a team with great talents and it's up to us to handle that.

"If you draw there, then you have a great result. This is a team fighting for the championship."

The problem, though, is Sunderland just haven't looked capable of holding the fort at the back this season. Too many times, they have conceded in the first half, with the match as good as done and dusted by then, much like it was against Manchester City in the Capital One Cup.

With Anthony Martial and the rest of the United attack in top form, it will take some serious effort from Sunderland to stop the home team from running away with this match.

"I think [Sunderland] shall defend more than ever, but you never know," Van Gaal said. "I think they shall do that and play the counter-attack tactics.

"But every home match for Manchester United has to be three points, it's like that. Last year we built up to win home matches and we were high in the table of home matches won in the Premier League.

"We have to continue with that and we have to improve the away matches. I'm very pleased with the efforts in home matches."

Team news: Manchester United: Van Gaal does not have too many injury problems to worry about – nothing like this time last season, at least – with defenders Marcos Rojo and Paddy McNair joining long-term victim Luke Shaw on the sidelines for the match on Saturday.

Sunderland: Adam Mathews and Jack Rodwell, who picked up an ankle problem in the loss to Manchester City on Tuesday, are ruled out, while Jermain Defoe is a doubt with a hamstring issue.

Expected lineups: Manchester United: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Darmian; Schweinsteiger, Carrick; Mata, Rooney, Depay; Martial.

Sunderland: Pantilimon; Jones, O'Shea, Kaboul, Van Aanholt; M'Vila, Cattermole; Lens, Toivonen, Borini; Defoe.

Where to Watch Live

All the Highlights and Goals of the match HERE

Manchester United vs Sunderland is scheduled for a 3 pm local time (7.30 pm IST, 10 am ET) start. Star Sports 4 and Star Sports HD4 will show the match live in India, while the online live streaming option is on Starsports.com and Hotstar.

There will be no live TV coverage for viewers in the UK, but the match can be listened to on radio live on BBC Radio 5 Live. Australia viewers can watch the EPL game live on Fox Sports, while the online live streaming options are on Fox Sports On Demand and Foxtel Play.

Watch the game at Old Trafford live in the US on NBCSN, with the live stream option on NBC Sports Live Extra. Audience in Canada can watch Manchester United vs Sunderland live on Sportsnet and Watch Sportsnet.

Audience in the Middle East and North Africa will be able to watch the EPL match live on Bein Sports Arabia, with the live streaming option on Bein Sports Connect.