Radamel Falcao starts as Manchester United make five changes

With Robin van Persie is out ruled out because of an ankle injury Falcao starts up front, with Wayne Rooney and Angel di Maria also starting as United look to recover from last weekend’s loss to Swansea.

Michael Carrick is only fit enough for a spot on the bench having returned from a calf problem.

Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Ashley Young come into the starting eleven in place of Paddy McNair, Luke Shaw, Phil Jones and Marouane Fellaini.

For Sunderland, Jack Rodwell and Billy Jones miss out. Jermain Defoe leads the line with Connor Wickham.

Wickham is one of three changes for Gus Poyet, who brings also in Patrick van Aanholt and Jordi Gomez.

Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Evans, Rojo, Blind, Herrera, Young, Di Maria, Rooney, Falcao. Subs: Lindegaard, McNair, Carrick, Fellaini, Mata, Januzaj, Wilson.

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Reveillere, van Aanholt, Brown, O’Shea (c), Cattermole, Larsson, Gomez, Johnson, Wickham, Defoe. Subs: Mannone, Bridcutt Fletcher, Graham, Coates, Vergini, Watmore.