Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole feels that his side are more than capable of competing against Manchester United in their Premier League clash.

The Black Cats defeated the Red Devils at Old Trafford last season and also in the semi-final of the Capital One Cup.

Cattermole believes that his side have learned a lot about top-flight football, having narrowly escaped the drop at the end of the last campaign.

He told the club's official website: "We know after last year that it's a very long season and we proved that we don't need to be nervous or panic, we are more than capable of competing with team in the Premier League.

"We have got a way that we want to play and I genuinely think that we are going to get better as the season goes on – starting on Sunday."

Sunderland face United later today at the Stadium of Light.