Dutch managers face off at Old Trafford

The contrast in form between Manchester United and Sunderland could hardly be greater as the two clubs prepare to meet at Old Trafford on Saturday.

United has won its past two Premier League games - scoring six goals in the process - and with just one league defeat this season has climbed up to second place in the table, two points behind local rival Manchester City.

Louis van Gaal's side also goes into the game on the back of a comfortable 3-0 win over Ipswich Town in the League Cup to move smoothly into the last 16.

In the same competition, Sunderland was beaten 4-1 at home by Manchester City on Tuesday night and the northeast club - whose only win at Old Trafford since 1968 helped it secure a remarkable escape from relegation at the end of the 2013-14 season - is bottom of the Premier League.

Head coach Dick Advocaat is under increasing pressure with Sunderland yet to win a league game this season, although he is unlikely to receive any sympathy on the pitch from fellow Dutchman van Gaal.

Advocaat is no stranger to van Gaal and the two have met nine times as managers of opposing sides, with five draws, three wins for Advocaat and just one win for the United boss.

United has made massive strides in the space of 12 months following a difficult start to life at Old Trafford for the former Netherlands coach.

The impact of striker Anthony Martial - a 36 million pounds ($55 million) signing from Monaco in August who has scored four goals on his first four appearances - has epitomized United's progress, although van Gaal insists no-one should get carried away.

"It is not so difficult because he is a player who is very modest," said van Gaal of the 19-year-old Frenchman.

"He knows that he can score and he can score because of his fellow players.

"With his speed and composure, he can score. We are happy but still we have to keep our feet on the ground."

After starting on the bench against Ipswich, Martial is likely to return to the side to face Sunderland, along with rightback Matteo Darmian and midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.

Winger Memphis Depay may also return but defenders Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Paddy McNair are missing through injury.

Advocaat will make several changes to the side which was outclassed by City as Sunderland tries and climb off the bottom of the table.

Goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon will return in place of Vito Mannone, while Younes Kaboul is available after suspension and is likely to replace Sebastian Coates in central defense.

Midfielder Lee Cattermole is pushing for a first start in four games, while defender Billy Jones returns at rightback after being rested in midweek. While leftback Patrick van Aanholt's place is under threat after the Dutchman's unconvincing start to the season.

Advocaat is also considering whether to switch England midfielder Jack Rodwell to centerback in a bid to strengthen a back line that has conceded 20 goals in eight games this season.

Advocaat said: "I have one or two options. I have thought about moving Rodwell into defense, because he is good in the air and has got two good feet. He is what I am looking for in terms of being able to find his teammates with a pass."

(China Daily 09/26/2015 page12)