Sunderland boss Moyes buoyant ahead of Old Trafford return

David Moyes may have a return to Old Trafford to contend with but he is entering the Christmas period in a confident mood after Sunderland’s upturn in results.

The Black Cats were adrift at the bottom of the table prior to their 2-1 win at Bournemouth in November – which has sparked a run of four victories from seven games.

The North East club remain in the relegation zone, just one point behind Crystal Palace, and travel to Manchester United on Boxing Day – the first time Moyes has been back since they sacked him in 2014.

But the Scotsman is in a buoyant mood and expects the Black Cats to give a good account of themselves.

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“We’re in a better position; we’ve got ourselves back in it and won some games. We’re back in there fighting and we’ve got to keep doing that,” he said.

“It’s a difficult Christmas period; that’s why the result against Watford was so important to start it off.

“We go there knowing Manchester United are finding some form – we have to try to stop them.

“We’re showing we can fight our way out of it.

“We didn’t play well on the day [against Watford] but we got the result and that’s what matters.”