Louis Van Gaal Slammed on Twitter as Manchester United Lose to Sunderland

Manchester United travelled to Sunderland on Saturday looking to pick up where they left off after improved recent performances against Chelsea and Stoke City.

The omens were good for United prior to the game, but Sunderland were given a late boost as leading scorer Jermain Defoe was passed fit to play:

"

Is today the day, @SunderlandAFC fans? #SUNMUN pic.twitter.com/bQYTnIq8OY

— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) February 13, 2016"

"

Late fitness test: passed

Jermain Defoe starts. Good news for #SAFC , he has 6 #BPL goals in 2016 already.#SUNMUN pic.twitter.com/vlkY35dNsN

— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) February 13, 2016"

The game was barely three minutes old when new signing Wahbi Khazri put Sunderland ahead from a free-kick:

"

PHOTO Wahbi Khazri celebrates putting Sunderland ahead, scoring in his first home start. It's 1-0 (10 mins) #SUNMUN pic.twitter.com/GGGK2gtrL3

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 13, 2016"

"

Big Sam's reaction to @SunderlandAFC's goal! #SUNMUN pic.twitter.com/WnkEm7scyM

— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) February 13, 2016"

"

Sam Allardyce, poised to mastermind Sunderland's great escape. pic.twitter.com/M5esh1zZei

— SportlobsterFootball (@Football_SL) February 13, 2016"

"

Three minutes gone:

Sunderland 1-0 Manchester United https://t.co/3ovsyxO9J4

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) February 13, 2016"

United didn't start the game well:

"

Impressive how United manage to be third to every ball

— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) February 13, 2016"

"

Take Martial out of the equation and I'm pretty sure every Sunderland player on the pitch is quicker than every United player.

— Alex Hess (@A_Hess) February 13, 2016"

"

Darmian struggling, Carrick getting pushed around in midfield. United look like they're getting out-fought here, which is never a good sign.

— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonMEN) February 13, 2016"

"

*insert joke about Man United's performance making Louis van Gaal fall asleep here* pic.twitter.com/s9UBdfYvuT

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 13, 2016"

"

All smiles on the #MUFC bench so far... pic.twitter.com/onLblTg7uj

— Unibet (@unibet) February 13, 2016"

"

United losing and BT Sport plug their Champions League coverage. Unreal trolling.

— Paul (@UtdRantcast) February 13, 2016"

A substitution provided a humorous distraction from the football as Donald Love made his debut in place of Matteo Darmian:

"

Where is D. Love? Well he's on now actually. Darmian off. #MUFC

— Unibet (@unibet) February 13, 2016"

"

So United have a player called Donald Love, presumably named after the GTA III character. #SUNMUN pic.twitter.com/169VSbkJof

— 888sport (@888sport) February 13, 2016"

"

Of course Manchester United weren't going to start their comeback until Donald Love was on the field on the weekend of Valentines Day.

— Greg Johnson (@gregianjohnson) February 13, 2016"

"

Hope the PA system plays 'Love is in the air' whenever he wins a header

— JOE.co.uk (@JOE_co_uk) February 13, 2016"

"

Donald Love will tear you apart. #MUFC

— John Brewin (@JohnBrewinESPN) February 13, 2016"

"

Poor cross from the substitute. He gives love a bad name. pic.twitter.com/15HIgEeWXt

— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) February 13, 2016"

That seemed to give the away side a lift, as Anthony Martial followed up a Juan Mata shot to equalise shortly before half-time:

"

Lovely composed finish by Martial that one...Man. Utd right back in it.

— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) February 13, 2016"

"

There are rebounds and there are rebounds. Lovely dink by Martial.

— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) February 13, 2016"

"

Not many players capable of that quality of finish from Anthony Martial. Has a consistently cool head in danger areas. #SAFC #MUFC

— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) February 13, 2016"

"

Martial has it all. He's going to be one hell of a player.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 13, 2016"

"

“What a waste of money” #Martial pic.twitter.com/LmcrslGFRU

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) February 13, 2016"

"

'Looking the weaker side against relegation candidates but hey, we pulled one back to level it up at HT. Lets party' https://t.co/d6fqhzT3oZ

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) February 13, 2016"

The second half passed much like the first, with Sunderland the better side, forcing United to turn to Memphis Depay in search of a winner:

"

Depay's redemption coming up in the next 28 minutes. You can guarantee it.

— Jonathan Wilson (@jonawils) February 13, 2016"

"

Birthday boy Memphis on for Lingard. Has he matured as a player since turning 22?

— JOE.co.uk (@JOE_co_uk) February 13, 2016"

"

Memphis looks like he’s been having a kip #MUFC

— Rob B. (@_Rob_B) February 13, 2016"

But it didn't work, as Sunderland retook the lead when a late header from another new boy, Lamine Kone, found it's way into the goal via David De Gea:

"

GOOOOOOOOAL#SAFC 2 -1 #MUFChttps://t.co/lqaX72IePj

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) February 13, 2016"

"

No conspiracy here #MUFC #LVG pic.twitter.com/QQuK77cxTt

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) February 13, 2016"

"

Louis van Gone?

— Stanley Chow (@stan_chow) February 13, 2016"

"

United should be challenging for the title. It's dire under-performance.

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) February 13, 2016"

"

Sunderland 2-1 United https://t.co/BGzcLLg5ap

— Kristian vS Hæhre (@vonstrenginho) February 13, 2016"

"

https://t.co/tlNIMHpXeS

— Unibet (@unibet) February 13, 2016"

"

United deserved that. Been rubbish since half-time after finishing first half really well. Conceded two soft goals from set pieces.

— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonMEN) February 13, 2016"

It finished 2-1, leaving United fans frustrated once again and calling for a change of manager:

"

Sigh!!!!

— Usain St. Leo Bolt (@usainbolt) February 13, 2016"

"

Unacceptable. 2-1 Sunderland. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/8SrbuKjMEg

— Full Time DEVILS (@FullTimeDEVILS) February 13, 2016"

"

Jose, rebuild this team pls

— Chu Morah (@ChuBoi) February 13, 2016"

"

Mourinho would sort those twerps out. United are crap but not as bad as this. Players have no faith in their past-it manager.

— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) February 13, 2016"

"

Ed Woodward watching #MUFC lose again like… #mourinho https://t.co/KzoC4ChhV1

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) February 13, 2016"

Sunderland, on the other hand, fully deserved the three points:

"

Outstanding result, excellent performance. If Sunderland keep putting in shifts like that, they’ll be absolutely fine.

— Iain Macintosh (@iainmacintosh) February 13, 2016"

"

Sunderland back in the mix. Huge result. Shocker for Man United. Huge blow for their top 4 chances. Top 4 looks increasingly boxed off.

— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) February 13, 2016"

"

Sunderland win 2-1 and well worth it. The Black Cats excellent - Manchester United the polar opposite of excellent.

— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) February 13, 2016"

What next for Manchester United and Louis van Gaal?

[Twitter]