Afternoon all! So, what do we have today? Here, Champions League-hunting Manchester United place host to Sunderland, who need the points to help boost their chances of Premier League survival. It's certainly a big afternoon at Old Trafford for both teams.

First of all, though, let's get some team news, starting with the home side...

MAN UNITED XI: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Evans, Rojo; Blind, Herrera, Young, Di Maria; Rooney, Falcao

MAN UNITED SUBS: Lindegaard, McNair, Carrick, Fellaini, Mata, Januzaj, Wilson

With Robin van Persie sidelined by an ankle injury, Radamel Falcao is given the nod up front alongside Wayne Rooney. Elsewhere, Antonio Valencia has been recalled at right-back, while there is also a start for Ashley Young in midfield. On the bench, Michael Carrick returns following a six-game layoff with a muscle rupture. As for Phil Jones and Luke Shaw, they both drop out of the squad.

Speaking just now to Sky Sports News about his team selection, United manager Louis van Gaal said:

"I have to make these changes. That's football and life. I have to adapt to the situation. I have changed one [player] in my lineup that I had composed. Phil Jones is ill and Luke Shaw is tired."

Tired? He's not exactly had a full season, so that is a strange reason to omit Shaw.

And now for visiting Sunderland...

SUNDERLAND XI: Pantilimon; Reveillere, Brown, O'Shea, Van Aanholt; Cattermole, Larsson, Gomez, Johnson, Wickham; Defoe

SUNDERLAND SUBS: Mannone, Bridcutt, Fletcher, Graham, Coates, Vergini, Watmore

Gus Poyet has opted to make three changes from the side that drew with West Bromwich Albion last time out. Left-back Patrick van Aanholt, Jordi Gomez and Connor Wickham have all come into the team. Although Wickham is primarily a striker, it looks as though today he will play out wide, with Jermain Defoe operating as a lone frontman. There are also starts for former United defenders Wes Brown and John O'Shea.

Staying with Poyet, let's take a look at what he had to say about this game when he spoke to the club's official website yesterday:

"Manchester United have to come back [from defeat at Swansea] and they know us well from what happened last year, so they know they will face a team who could find Old Trafford a nice place to play football.

"It is going to be competitive and we need to be spot on defensively because they have quality players, but we don't know too much about the system and who is going to be available so it is a little bit tricky and we need to concentrate on what we do.

"If everyone is fit they have an incredible team. You can go through the players they bought in the summer which cost fortunes wherever you are coming from. They have got options and if something is not working the players on the bench are very good as well, so we need to play our game and that is the main thing."

© Getty Images

Perhaps the picture of Poyet below is a good omen. Of course, that was the Uruguayan celebrating Sunderland's 1-0 victory at Old Trafford last season. It was a result that all but secured Sunderland's status as a Premier League club and also secured their first win away at United since 1968.

Meanwhile, talking to reporters yesterday morning, United boss Van Gaal said this of the race for the top four:

"It is because of the rat race between five clubs that we have to win [against Sunderland]. We have to be there.

"It is not so important now, but at the end of the season. Therefore you have to win your matches because the other clubs are winning their matches."

VIDEO PREVIEW! So, the two managers have had their say and now it's the turn of the Sports Mole Sofa. To find out how they say this clash going, watch the video:

The chaps have both gone for a United win and when you look at their home record, it's easy to see why. Going into this match, Van Gaal's men have won 10 of their 13 matches at Old Trafford, losing two of them. On the flip side, Sunderland have won only two of their 12 away matches. All logic points to a United victory, but this is the Premier League remember!

You cannot help but think this is a really big game for Falcao and his future at United. With Van Persie out injured and United due to have a run of important matches, it's now or never for the Colombian. If he goes on to score plenty of goals between now and the end of the season, Van Gaal may be tempted to sign him permanently, even at the reported £43m.

Not that Van Gaal is pinning much hope on the striker rediscovering his clincial form. Speaking to reporters yesterday, the United boss bemoaned a lack of goals from his forward players:

"It is true because I cannot deny it – Robin van Persie cannot deny it, Falcao cannot deny it and Rooney is not playing there much any more. We cannot deny that, at this moment, we don't have a striker who scores 20 goals in the season."

Perhaps he's said that to spur the likes of Falcao and Rooney into top form? We shall see if it's worked shortly.

PREDICTION: So, what is going to happen today then? The Black Cats have scored just 10 away goals all season and while United are by no means a watertight defensive unit, it's hard to see the away team scoring more than one goal. Having said that, if they can create a chance, there are few better at converting an opportunity than Defoe. United should be too strong, though, with the likes of Di Maria, Falcao and Rooney all due big performances. Let's say 3-1 to the hosts.

If my prediction is right, it's going to be a busy afternoon for these two familiar faces:

Former @ManUtd duo Wes Brown and John O'Shea warm up at Old Trafford #MUNSUN pic.twitter.com/isDkI0pF04 — Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) February 28, 2015

Before we get underway, it seems Van Gaal has the back of a United legend. Writing in today's matchday programme, Sir Bobby Charlton said:

"A new manager comes in and has lots of things on his mind, a lot to think about at once, and Louis van Gaal was perhaps a little surprised by the enormity of the club.

"I am not worried about the season or the future. I think we can look forward to some fantastic times here."

Right, the two teams have made their way out on to the pitch, with the pre-match handshakes now taking place. Not long now until we are off and running.

KICKOFF! Game on! Sunderland, who in their changed strip of all blue this afternoon will attack towards the Stretford End during the first half, get us started at Old Trafford.

Nothing much to report from the early exchanges, except for the fact that Van Gaal has reverted back to a 3-5-2 formation today. Smalling, Rojo and Evans are the back three, with Young and Valencia on the left and right flank respectively.

Young has started brightly for United, winning a couple of corners in the process. The first of those is swung in by Di Maria, which Herrera loops goalwards, only for the ball to land on the roof of the net. The second sees Rooney head wide of the near post.

SAVE! Big chance for Sunderland on what was their first venture forward. Wickham drives forward unopposed and despite having Defoe in a good position, he goes for goal himself. His low effort from 20 yards out is heading for the bottom corner, but De Gea gets down well to turn the ball behind for a corner.

Oh, and Van Gaal seems to have changed his mind over the 3-5-2! It's now more of a 4-2-3-1 formation and there actually seems to be confusion among some of the United players as to where they should be playing.

CHANCE! First meaningful goal attempt for United as Sunderland fail to clear Di Maria's inswinging cross. The ball eventually breaks for Young, who lashes a powerful half-volley. Pantilimon is rooted to the spot, but thankfully for him and Sunderland, the ball flashes just over.

SAVE! Sunderland are creating the better chances right now. Falcao is robbed of possession just inside the United half and the away side break. The ball is worked to Defoe, who having sidstepped Evans, drives for goal. De Gea sees it all the way and holds, but it's bright stuff from Poyet's men nonetheless.

More positive signs for Sunderland as Defoe releases Johnson down the right. The winger cuts inside, but having taken too long to shoot, he's crowded out and United clear. Sunderland are the better side right now and are certainly posing more of a threat.

The Old Trafford faithful are not happy at all. Evans has just passed the ball back to De Gea - an action that was roundly jeered. It's followed by chants of "attack, attack, attack" from a large section of fans. They are not being entertained and are letting their team know.

OFF THE BAR! And those supporters get their wish almost instantly. A cross from Valencia finds Young, who sees his effort beat Pantilimon. However, just as the crowd starts to celebrate, former United defender O'Shea sticks out a leg, which diverts the ball on to the crossbar. The rebound drops to Herrera, but he shoots wide. That's better from the home team.

Evans is not a popular figure among the United fans. Again he passes back to De Gea and once again he's jeered for it. In his defence, the centre-back had little other option. Nobody in midfield was showing for the ball.

BOOKING! The first yellow card of the contest, unsurprisingly, goes to Sunderland midfielder Cattermole. He couldn't get to Di Maria quick enough and ended up tripping the Argentine, who wastes the set-piece situation.

Dangerous moment for Cattermole, just after he's been booked. He bundles Rooney to the ground and while he escapes a second yellow card, that must be his final warning.

SAVE! Having wasted the last set-piece situation, Di Maria passes the responsibility on to Rooney. The captain beats the wall, but Pantilimon gets across his line to tip the ball over the bar.

Young is United's best player right now. Moments ago he twisted Reveillere in knots, but neither Falcao nor Blind are alert to his low cross and Sunderland clear.

There will be one minute of stoppage time at the end of this first half.

BOOKING! Moments after Di Maria wastes a great opening by failing to pick out Falcao, United full-back Valencia goes into the book for a late sliding challenge on Johnson.

There goes the whistle for the break at Old Trafford, where it is goalless. United have had more of the possession, but yet again goalscoring chances have been hard to come by.

Will Van Gaal be pleased with that 45 minutes? Even if he is, which is unlikely, the home fans certainly aren't. Their frustrations are understandable, given how little threat United have posed. Aside from Young, United's attacking players have been ineffective. What's more, most of Sunderland openings have come from United's sloppiness in the middle of the pitch. All in all it was a first half to forget for the home side.

In contrast, Poyet will probably be pretty content. His side have counter-attacked well and then when the pressure was on in the closing stages of that half, they've defended positively. The big question is - what next? Do they continue this way and play for the draw, or sensing that United are vulnerable, do they play with a little more adventure and go for the win? Right now, the former of those two is probably the favourite. After all, a point here is a good point for the Black Cats.

MATCH ACTION! Here's a shot of United skipper Rooney attempting to get the better of Sunderland midfielder Larsson.

© Getty Images

There may well be a change in the offing for United. As he headed down the touchline towards the tunnel, Van Gaal was locked in conversion with Adnan Januzaj. Remember, the Belgian scored twice on his first start against Sunderland last season. United certainly need that sort of intervention.

RESTART! United gets us back underway and Januzaj has indeed come on, with Di Maria making way. The Argentine was poor in the first half it must be said.

United have started this half on the front foot, with Januzaj looking lively. He's already won a corner and helped to assist an opening for Rojo, which flies over.

Assistant manager Ryan Giggs has made his way down the United technical area for the first time today. He does not look happy with how things are going out there.

There's very little happening at Old Trafford right now. United continue to dominate the possession, but they cannot create a chance. There's far too much sideways passing with very little purpose, which is making it easy for Sunderland to defend against.

Huge confusion here as Brown has in fact been sent off, although it was O'Shea that committed the foul! Not good refereeing. Rooney will take the kick...

Great composure from Rooney, who fires the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net to put United in front. As for the award of the penalty, it's all about Falcao, who takes a lovely first touch. He's about to shoot, only to be brought down by O'Shea. Brown is the man that walks, due to a case of mistaken identity. It will get overturned I'm sure, but that's poor from the officials. United won't care, though, as they lead.

SUBS: And that was Falcao's last involvement, much to the unhappiness of the United fans, who jeer the decision to take off the Colombian and replace him with Fellaini. Sunderland have also made changes, with Defoe and Wickham coming off for Graham and Vergini.

SAVE! Positive work from Januzaj as he cuts in from the right flank and then curls a left footed effort goalwards. The ball would have probably crept in the far corner, but Pantilimon pushes clear the danger.

MATCH ACTION! Here's the moment that Rooney put United in front:

PIC: This was the moment Rooney gave United the lead from the penalty spot. It's still 1-0 to the Reds. #mufclive pic.twitter.com/ARD0AcgIKc — Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 28, 2015

BOOKING! There is no doubt that Januzaj has given United some fresh impetus since he came on. He's just beaten Van Aanholt easily down the right wing, only to be blatantly tripped by the Dutchman, who is rightly booked.

SUNDERLAND SUB: Final change of the contest for Sunderland as Johnson trudges off and his replaced by Steven Fletcher.

Game, set and the match Man United! Januzaj is again heavily involved as his low shot is parried out by Pantilimon. The Sunderland defenders are static, but not Rooney, who moves in to nod the ball into an unguarded net. Rooney up front = goals!

MAN UNITED SUB: And that is the end for Rooney this afternoon. He's given a standing ovation as Juan Mata comes on for the closing stages. The captain's armband goes to Evans.

There will be three minutes of stoppage time at the end of this encounter.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Herrera thinks he's scored United a third goal, but the linesman's flag cut shorts the celebrations. A retreating Pantilimon pushes clear Valencia's effort, only for the ball to rebound into the net off Herrera. However, as the replays show, the Spaniard was clearly offside.

There goes the final whistle and it's United that claim all three points. While it was by no means pretty, nor easy on the eye at times, it's a deserved victory for Louis van Gaal's men, who move up to third. As for Sunderland, they remain 16th, three points above the relegation zone.

That is all we have time for from Old Trafford. Thanks very much for joining us this afternoon and be sure to stick with Sports Mole over the coming hours for match analysis, player ratings and reaction from all of today's Premier League games. Until next time, goodbye.