Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has predicted that Sunderland will provide "tough" opposition when the teams meet in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final tonight (Tuesday).
United travel to the Stadium of Light having beaten Stoke City 2-0 in the last round of the competition.
Despite Sunderland's poor form in the Premier League, De Gea believes that the hosts will be up for the challenge of facing the Red Devils.
"They are a very competitive team; they always give their all on the pitch," the Spaniard told MUTV. "They've already made it difficult for us when we played there in the league.
"They have great support from their fans, who get right behind the team and are very passionate indeed. It'll be a tough night because, added to that, it's a semi-final, so we need to try to get a good result there."
De Gea is expected to return to the starting lineup for United after sitting out Sunday's defeat to Swansea City in the FA Cup.
