Black Cats bite Red Devils

David de Gea's cruel 82nd-minute own goal condemned Louis van Gaal's Manchester United to a 2-1 defeat at struggling Sunderland on Saturday that compromised their hopes of Champions League.

Bidding to close the six-point gap separating them from fourth-place Manchester City, United fell behind in the third minute when Wahbi Khazri's free-kick from out on the left eluded everyone and crept in at the far post.

Anthony Martial equalised in the 39th minute, but Sunderland took the points when Martial's attempt to clear Lamine Kone's header off the line struck goalkeeper De Gea's arm and rolled into the net.

It was United's seventh league defeat of the season and it will only serve to fuel speculation about the position of their manager Van Gaal, amid reports that the club have approached Jose Mourinho to succeed him.

United fell to a first league defeat on Wearside for 19 years and became the first top-half team that struggling Sunderland have beaten this season in 14 attempts.

In their first game since announcing the sacking of Adam Johnson after the England winger admitted to child sex charges, Sunderland took an early lead in fortunate circumstances.

The hosts earned a free-kick near to their left touchline following a foul on Patrick van Aanholt by Matteo Darmian.

Khazri swung in the set-piece, which travelled between the legs of Jermain Defoe, and beyond United's defensive line to find the net off the bottom of De Gea's left-hand post.

Chris Smalling stood firm to prevent Defoe doubling the lead shortly afterwards, shepherding the Sunderland forward's effort to safety after Van Aanholt and Lee Cattermole created a half-chance.

Sunderland's pressure mounted and they had penalty appeals turned down by referee Andre Marriner when Khazri's shot struck Morgan Schneiderlin on the arm inside the area.