Wayne Rooney: Sunderland clash is 'must win' for Manchester United

Sunderland desperately need to upset the odds against Man United tomorrow lunchtime, if they are to keep their hopes alive of remaining in the Premier League.

But the Stadium of Light encounter is equally significant for United, with Louis van Gaal's side six points adrift of the Champions League places.

Sunderland haven't beaten United on home turf in the Premier League since 1997, and England skipper Rooney is eager to maintain that record.

"It probably is a must-win game," Rooney told MUTV.

"We want to get into that top four again and try to push as high up the table as possible. The only way we can do that is by winning games.

"Sunderland's ground is one that we've had a lot of good results at in the past, and we want a good performance, but I think on Saturday the most important thing is the result.

"They're fighting for survival and obviously they have a passionate crowd so we know it's going to be a difficult game for us.

"The one thing we can't do is let their fans get their players up on the pitch.

"We need to try to quieten the crowd at every opportunity we get, but I think the one thing we know that will 100 per cent happen is (they'll) fight for the win."