Manchester United got back to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday thanks to a 2-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Craig Gardner gave the hosts an early lead before 18-year-old Adnan Januzaj got the visitors level on what was his first league start for the club.
It got better for Januzaj with 30 minutes left as he scored the decisive goal with a fine volley.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how the action unfolded.
Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage as Sunderland welcome champions Manchester United to the Stadium of Light in the Premier League. Big match, this one...
We should have some team news filtering through shortly, so we'll bring that to you as soon as we get it.
Could this match be described as a must-win for both sides? Sunderland are currently bottom of the table with just a single point from their first six games. Meanwhile, United have lost their last two in the league.
SUNDERLAND: Westwood; Celustka, O'Shea, Roberge, Colback; Johnson, Cattermole, Ki, Gardner, Giaccherini; Altidore
MAN UTD: De Gea; Rafael, Vidic, Jones, Evra; Carrick, Cleverley, Januzaj, Nani; Rooney, Van Persie
The big news is that Wayne Rooney returns for Man Utd after missing Wednesday's draw against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League with a shin injury. Elsewhere, there are three further changes for the visitors as Phil Jones, Adnan Januzaj and Nani all come into the starting XI.
Meanwhile, Sunderland have made two changes following last weekend's defeat to Liverpool as Ondrej Celutska and Valentin Roberge are both given the nod by caretaker boss Kevin Ball.
SUNDERLAND SUBS: Cabral, Larsson, Wickham, Cuellar, Dong-won, Borini, Mannone
MAN UTD SUBS: Giggs, Smalling, Hernandez, Welbeck, Valencia, Kagawa, Lindegaard
While it looks like a very strong bench for Man Utd, you'll have noticed that there is no place on there for Marouane Fellaini. Interesting.
There are currently four other Premier League matches on the verge of finishing this afternoon. Stay tuned and we'll have those results up on here as soon as the final-whistles go.
PREMIER LEAGUE FULL-TIME RESULTS:
Cardiff City 1-2 Newcastle United
Fulham 1-0 Stoke City
Hull City 0-0 Aston Villa
Liverpool 3-1 Crystal Palace
There was also an early match in the Premier League, with Manchester City beating Everton 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
Anyway, back to business. There is no doubt that David Moyes has not enjoyed a pleasant start to life as Man Utd manager, but he will certainly have his eye on three points this evening against the league's bottom-placed side. However, a third defeat on the bounce in the Premier League would do little to help Moyes's cause.
The Red Devils' form away from home this season hasn't exactly been exemplary, with two defeats and one win from the three that they have played so far.
As for Sunderland, their only point this season came away at Southampton back in August. They've lost all three of their home fixtures during the current campaign.
HEAD TO HEAD: As you might expect, Man Utd have the edge over Sunderland when you look at their head-to-head record down the years. The Reds have won 56 of the 125 encounters, while the Black Cats have come out on top on 39 occasions.
Looking more recently, it was joy for United at the Stadium of Light last season as Robin van Persie's goal earned them a 1-0 victory.
Around fifteen minutes until this one gets underway.
As it stands, a win for Sunderland today would see them still keep their place in the relegation zone. Victory for United would see the champions move up to ninth.
Of course, Sunderland caretaker boss Kevin Ball has made it clear that he wants the job permanently so a win today for the home side would boost his chances considerably for filling the vacancy.
The players are in the tunnel, waiting to emerge onto the pitch at the Stadium of Light. Not long to go now.
Here they come!
Right, the pre-match rituals have been done and it will be Sunderland to get us underway. Here we go!
Not exactly a frantic start to this match as both teams are just feeling each other out.
GOAL! SUNDERLAND 1-0 MAN UTD (GARDNER)
What a start for Sunderland as Gardner gives the home side the lead, but you have to say that was poor defending from Vidic. Giaccherini's cross was not cleared sufficiently by the Man Utd captain, allowing Gardner to sweep the ball into the net from inside the box.
CHANCE! First sniff of goal for Man Utd as Nani unleashes a powerful low effort from about 25 yards, but the ball skips just past the post.
TACKLE! Man Utd lose possession in a dangerous position, which sees Gardner break with two teammates waiting in the middle. He only needs to slip the ball across goal, but he takes too long and Jones get in the challenge. Sunderland certainly have the wind in their sails at the moment.
The visitors are starting to show a bit more control now. Nani's cross is headed back towards goal by Rooney, only for Westwood to gather the ball with Van Persie in attendance.
It's safe to say that Man Utd have reacted positively to going behind. They're seeing plenty of the ball in midfield, while Rooney and Van Persie look up for it in attack.
CHANCE! Man Utd come within inches of equalising through Januzaj, but the Belgian fierce effort from the edge of the box whistles past the post. Westwood looked beaten there.
Sunderland get a free kick right on the edge of the area which Giaccherini takes, but the Italian's effort comes off the wall before De Gea collects.
MISS! Another good opportunity for the away side to level! Evra's long ball went right over the top of the Sunderland defence with Nani waiting at the back post. However, the winger's volley back across goal went wide of the post. He looks disappointed because he should have at least got his shot on target there.
Another shot on goal from Januzaj now as his long-range strike is easily held by Westwood.
David Moyes isn't looking overly impressed down on the touchline but credit must go to Sunderland for the energy that they are showing at the moment. They certainly don't look like a team with one point from six games.
Man Utd have just cranked up the pressure in the last few minutes. They're using the ball a lot better, with more intent. Sunderland still looking dangerous on the break, though.
SAVE! What an incredible stop from De Gea! Johnson's floated cross was met by the head of Giaccherini, but the Spanish goalkeeper somehow clawed the ball away when it looked destined to go in.
CHANCE! A poor clearance from O'Shea allows Van Persie to win the ball on the byline inside the Sunderland box. The striker takes a touch before trying to get in the crosst towards Rooney, only for Celutska to get in the way and get rid of the danger.
SAVE! Rafael tees up Nani inside the area, and his shot on the angle is parried away by Westwood. Man Utd are starting to dominate as the half-time whistle approaches.
YELLOW CARD: Rooney is the first name to go into the book this evening for a cynical trip on Gardner as Sunderland were looking to break.
CHANCE! Sunderland could be 2-0 ahead but for some poor finishing from Giaccherini. The Italian, who was about 12 yards out, swung at the ball from Johnson's cutback and saw his shot sail high over the bar.
Two minutes added time.
HALF TIME: SUNDERLAND 1-0 MAN UTD
Referee Chris Foy brings and end to what was a great first half for Sunderland as they lead Manchester United 1-0 thanks to Craig Gardner's early goal.
The home side have battled hard for the majority so far, while Man Utd just haven't been able to find that killer touch in the final third. It's been a pretty even game, but you wouldn't begrudge Sunderland their lead.
It will be interesting to see if David Moyes makes any changes at half time. He has a wealth of attacking talent on the bench, so the options are there for him.
Right, the players are back out and it will be Man Utd to get us back underway.
The visitors have started this second half in positive fashion, with Nani, Rooney and Van Persie looking threatening. Sunderland have barely had a touch yet.
YELLOW CARD: Januzaj goes down in the box with a cluster of Sunderland players around him, but referee Chris Foy books him for diving. Looking at the replays, it would appear that the youngster took a tumble far too keenly there.
A moment of panic in the Man Utd box there as Johnson whips in a superb cross from the left side, but the visitors just about get rid of the danger. There's very little to suggest that the away side will make the breakthrough here - they look so toothless in attack. Meanwhile, Gardner gets booked for handball.
GOAL! SUNDERLAND 1-1 MAN UTD (JANUZAJ)
Put that down to the curse of the commentator. Man Utd are level and it's Adnan Januzaj on his first start for the club with a wonderful strike! The ball fell to him around the penalty spot and he powered the ball past the helpless Westwood.
SUBSTITUTION: Sunderland make the change as Craig Gardner comes off for Sebastien Larsson.
For the record, that was the first time that Man Utd have scored in open play in the Premier League for 505 minutes.
We've had an hour played and, if anything, Man Utd look more likely to get the next goal if there is one. Sunderland are still putting up a real fight, but there's an element of caution to their play now.
GOAL! SUNDERLAND 1-2 MAN UTD (JANUZAJ)
Would you believe it?! Man Utd lead and it's Januzaj again with a special volley! The ball fell to the Belgian inside the area and he lashed it into the far corner past Westwood after Sunderland had failed to clear their lines. Incredible.
SUBSTITUTION: Sunderland make another change now as Adam Johnson is replaced by Ji Don-wong
The whole mood inside the Stadium of Light has shifted now. The home fans are starting to get agitated, groaning every time a stray pass is made or possession is lost. Not too long ago they were is buoyant mood.
Rooney tries his luck with an audacious long-range effort with Westwood off his line, but the ball sails high and wide.
Sunderland have worked incredibly hard all day, but the result of that is that they are now looking a bit tired. Man Utd are exploiting the spaces a lot more, something that will worry the home side. Twenty minutes of normal time left.
CHANCE! Man Utd almost find a third goal as Rafael feeds Rooney inside the area, only for the England striker to blast his shot over after finding himself on the angle.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Sunderland's change sees Connor Wickham replace Ki Sung-Yeung, while Man Utd bring on Danny Welbeck and Antonio Valencia for Nani and Adnan Januzaj.
YELLOW CARD: Rafael goes into the book for bundling over Colback around the halfway line.
YELLOW CARD: Another booking now as O'Shea is punished for taking down Welbeck.
CHANCE! Close for Sunderland! Cattermole picks out Larsson on the wing, who hits a brilliant first-time cross into the box. However, Jones is there to boot the ball clear. That was some delivery.
SUBSTITUTION: A final change for Man Utd sees Chris Smalling on for Rafael. The Brazilian looks to be suffering with a leg complaint.
Rooney appears to be struggling now for Man Utd. Looks like he has an ankle knock.
Not too much cause for concern with Rooney - he seems to have just run off whatever the problem was.
MISS! How has Van Persie not scored? Valencia played him in with just the goalkeeper to beat, but the Dutchman poked the ball wide. Amazing.
Five minutes added time. Can Sunderland grab an equaliser?
A couple of minutes left and Sunderland are pushing hard...
FULL TIME: SUNDERLAND 1-2 MAN UTD
The full-time whistle goes and Manchester United have a 2-1 win over Sunderland thanks to two goals from 18-year-old Adnan Januzaj. Craig Gardner gave the hosts an early lead, but they were unable to hold on.
Anyway, that's all from me for now. Thank you very much for your company and we hope to see you around the site over the rest of the weekend. Goodnight!
Written by
Jack Prescott
Jack Prescott
