Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal will be without eight first-team players for Saturdays trip to Sunderland. Mondays 7-0 U21s victory over Norwich added to Van Gaals injury woes, with Phil Jones, Adnan Januzaj and Guillermo Varela all picking up knocks.But United will be lking to build on their recent improvement when they travel to Wearside, despite conceding a late equaliser against Chelsea last Sunday. Louis van Gaal has accused the media of inventing stories ahead of Manchester Uniteds Premier league game at Sunderland on Saturday Van Gaals side are six points behind bitter rivals Manchester City in their pursuit of a top-four finish, but have a chance to close that gap, if only temporarily, in the early kick-off at the Stadium of Light.A spirited fightback at Liverpl last time out has given Sam Allardyce cause for optimism, but just one win in four means the Black Cats remain 19th, four points from safety.Team news Sam Allardyce says Louis van Gaal must find out if Manchester United are planning to replace him Long-term United absentees Luke Shaw (leg), Marcos Rojo (shoulder), Antonio Valencia (ft), Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee) and Ashley Young (groin) remain sidelined.Striker Will Keane has been rewarded for his five-goal haul against the Canaries with a place in the match-day squad.Sunderland defender Younes Kaboul and striker Duncan Watmore are both out with ankle ligament injuries. Jeremain Lens is a doubt with a suspected hernia problem. Sky Sports News HQ reporter James Cper explains what Manchester Uniteds latest finance records mean Billy Jones is struggling to shake off a hip injury and the game is likely to come t sn for midfielder Sebastian Larsson following his return to training following a long-term knee problem. Fabio Borini is available after missing the trip to Liverpl because of a virus.Opta statsSunderland have failed to score in eight of the last 12 Premier League matches against Manchester United and only once in each of the other four encounters.United have won 21 and lost just two of their 29 Premier League games against Sunderland.The Black Cats have never beaten Manchester United in the league at the Stadium of Light (D4 L9). Jermain Defoe applauds fans after Liverpl draw Wayne Rney has been involved in as many Premier League goals in six games in 2016 (five goals, three assists), as he had in 33 games in 2015 (six goals, two assists).Sunderland are on the longest current run without a clean sheet in the Premier League (11 games) while United have collected just six points from their last six Premier League away games (W1 D3 L2).Only Sergio Aguero (7) has scored more Premier League goals in 2016 so far than Jermain Defoe (6) and Wayne Rney (5).Marouane Fellaini could make his 200th Premier League appearance in this match and would be only the second Belgian to reach this landmark in the competition after Vincent Kompany. Jamie Redknapp lks ahead to Chelseas Saturday Night Ftball clash with Newcastle before previewing the 3pm kick-offs. Mersons predictionManchester United have turned the corner, Ive been impressed. They lked really gd at Chelsea and thoroughly deserved a draw at least. Sunderland, meanwhile, will have felt they did well against Man City, despite losing, and then they got a lucky draw at Liverpl if Im being honest. We will have to see whether the speculation surrounding Van Gaals future affects United but they seem to have turned the corner and I expect them to win at the Stadium of Light.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)BettingSunderland (4/1) are the biggest price of all home sides in Premier League action this weekend ahead of the visit of Manchester United (3/4) with the draw available at 5/2. The Black Cats remain odds-on shots with Sky Bet to be relegated with United 7/4 shots for a top four finish. United won this fixture 3-0 at Old Trafford earlier this season and are available at 7/4 to win to nil, while Sunderland are evens to win or draw in the Double Chance market. Jermain Defoe and Anthony Martial both to score is available at 17/2.Check out tips from our Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp, Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier here. Cheap Air Max 97 Australia Sale . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Air Max 97 Australia Wholesale . Just as Montreal was settling into the first full working week of a new year, the Impact announced the appointment of their new head coach. http://www.cheapairmax97australia.com/ .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. Buy Air Max 97 Australia . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. Wholesale Air Max 97 Australia . The injury bothered Bledsoe in the Suns victory over the Clippers on Monday and he sat out the teams home loss to Memphis on Thursday night.Diego Costa might have had an ulterior motive for his behaviour in Chelseas defeat at Gdison Park, according to the Sunday Supplement panel. The enigmatic Blues striker was sent off for the first time since arriving in England in Chelseas 2-0 defeat at Everton, after clashing with Gareth Barry.There were allegations that Costa tried to bite Barry, which have since been denied by the Everton midfielder, but The Suns European ftball correspondent Antony Kastrinakis told the Sunday Supplement he believes Costas actions were part of a plan. Diego Costa (middle) is shown a red card at Gdison Costa had exactly the same reputation at Atletico Madrid as he has developed in England, Kastrinakis said. His behaviour over the last few months is purely to show Roman Abramovich that he wants out.He wanted out last May. There were stories from various friends of his that he wanted to return to Atletico Madrid. It could have been done in January when Atletico made a bid, but Chelsea would not let him go.I think all of this is his frustration, because he wants to play elsewhere.Regardless of his motives, Costa could face further action after yet another flashpoint in his career, and the Daily Stars chief sports writer Jeremy Cross is in agreement there is more to it this time. Guus Hiddink says he didnt see the incident that saw Costa sent off, but believes his player was provoked There is probably an ulterior motive to his behaviour, but he is idolised by children all over Europe and here in the Premier League - you just dont do it, Cross said.dddddddddddd.It just sums him up. He obviously has a switch that goes on and off.Chelsea will worry because he will have a reputation that precedes him with referees, and opposition players will be out to wind him up.Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink admitted in his post-match news conference he had not seen the incident but admitted frustration may have played a role. (Costa) was chased a bit in the game. They went after him. They knew it. It is within the rules, Hiddink said.I like him still going towards the edge but you also have to take into consideration he was desperate to play. It is all the combination; not fully physically fit and all the provocations and he has to take responsibility for the incident. Also See: Everton-Chelsea talking points Lukaku double ousts Chelsea Hazard stuck in a rut? Chelsea stars: Stay or go? ' ' '