Last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Swansea City has left Southampton, Liverpool and Tottenham within striking distance of the Dutchman’s stuttering side ahead of this weekend’s games
Manchester United are feeling the heat in the top-four race as they bid to get back to winning ways against Sunderland on Saturday.
Louis van Gaal’s men lie fourth in the Premier League with 47 points from 26 matches but just three points separate them from Tottenham in seventh, with Southampton and Liverpool also within striking distance.
Despite over €150 million worth of investment last summer United have endured persistent criticism of their performances, and last weekend Swansea City completed a Premier League double over the Red Devils with a 2-1 win at the Liberty Stadium.
And Sunderland boss Gus Poyet believes Van Gaal’s men are vulnerable as his side go in search of back-to-back Old Trafford victories on Saturday.
Sebastian Larsson’s strike secured a 1-0 triumph for the Wearsiders last term as their improbable bid for top-flight survival hit top gear against a side still reeling from David Moyes’ sacking.
But while Van Gaal’s tactics have been scrutinised this season, the Dutchman continues to get positive results at home – United have won 10 of their 13 home league matches this season.
United have remained unconvincing, though, and Poyet has pinpointed their recent win over Burnley – which saw the team’s efforts jeered by the Old Trafford faithful – as cause for optimism.
“Van Gaal was not happy about Burnley game but they scored three goals, but Burnley had plenty of chances,” the Uruguayan told the club’s official website.
“We need to look at that game as a good opportunity to play a certain way, be calm, and manage the game in certain way that it will suit our result. It is going to be tough, they have to come back [after the Swansea loss], they know us because of what happened last year.
“We need to be spot on, especially in defence. We need to concentrate in what we do.”
Form is not on Sunderland’s side, though, after just one win in their last nine, but Anthony Reveilliere hopes they can take confidence from Swansea’s win.
“We know that it’s a challenge that is never easy there,” he told the Shields Gazette . “But at the same time, they’ve had a few difficulties this year and lost at Swansea last weekend.
“It’s still Manchester United, and they’ve brought in a lot of players this season. But we’ll be ready for it and we’ve done well away from home this season.”
Emanuele Giaccherini looks likely to miss the rest of the season after undergoing further ankle surgery this week, while there are doubts over Billy Jones (ankle), Jack Rodwell (calf) and Will Buckley (knee).
United’s injury list has one major addition after Saturday’s defeat in Wales; Robin van Persie left the Liberty Stadium on crutches and could spend the next month out of action.
Michael Carrick has also been on the sidelines with a calf injury, while youngster James Wilson suffered a hip problem during an Under-21 game earlier this week.