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By David Maddock

Sunderland get thrown into the Old ­Trafford bear-pit this weekend to face a striker not just in form, but hell bent on revenge.

Manchester United still haven’t forgotten or forgiven the reaction of the north-east club’s fans on the final day of last season, when they jeered and laughed at the Stadium of Light as news came through of Manchester City’s last-gasp title triumph.

Wayne Rooney, the two-goal star of last weekend’s derby win at the Etihad, summed up the bad feeling ahead of Sunderland's visit, saying: “We didn’t know the City score when the final whistle went.

“Then we heard the Sunderland fans cheering. It was sad to see because they should be supporting their own team. It was something we won’t forget.

“When the fixtures come out, I usually look for three games – City, Liverpool and Everton.

“This time, I checked for the Sunderland game too. If there is one team that I want to beat this season it’s them.”

Even United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admits that the Black Cats’ fans have done their team nothing but harm with their over-the-top reaction last season.

He was particularly annoyed as he reckons he has done the club a few favours in letting the likes of Jonny Evans and Danny Welbeck go there on loan, as well as selling them Kieran Richardson, Phil ­Bardsley and John O’Shea.

Fergie said: “That reaction was disappointing, when you think of the number of players we’ve given Sunderland over the years. We gave them Evans and Bardsley – the players that got them promoted.

“It’s fans, isn’t it? I don’t think it was malicious, they were just enjoying the moment. I don’t think it was anything against United.

“For us, though, revenge doesn’t come into it, winning the game is more important and given the impetus from last week, hopefully, that will be a deciding factor.

“It’s time to kick on and make sure we maintain our lead at the top of the league.”

Ferguson is determined to ram home the advantage gained over City after their dramatic 3-2 derby-day win, and he believes the title is now United’s to lose after opening up a six-point gap.

He pointed to the fact that his team have already visited all of the top sides before the halfway stage of the season, which provides a huge ­advantage he hopes United can cling onto.

Ferguson added: “When you look at our programme, it’s quite appetising that we’ve already been to Everton, Chelsea, ­Liverpool, Newcastle and the Etihad – it could be important.

“We went to Norwich and lost, which brings you back down to earth, but we are in a position now where we have impetus and we have an advantage.

"We must not do anything silly.”

Defender Nemanja Vidic returns after the best part of a year on the sidelines, and Rooney should start despite missing training with a bug.

O'Neill desperate to keep Dan

(Image: Clive Brunskill)

Martin O’Neill fears ­Sunderland could lose Danny Rose next month.

The Black Cats boss would love to tie-up a permanent deal for the £5million-rated Tottenham defender, who has stood out while on loan at the Stadium of Light.

But the Irishman faces the ­prospect of Rose returning to White Hart Lane in January, and is at the whim of Andre Villas-Boas as he sweats over the future of the flying full-back.

O’Neill is a huge fan of the 22-year-old, but insists talk of a full-time switch to Wearside is jumping the gun.

He’s more concerned about keeping the England Under-21 star for the rest of a season-long deal penned in August.

He said: “It’s very premature to talk about a permanent move because we haven’t discussed it with Tottenham.

“The reaction of our crowd suggests they’d like to have him permanently but there’s a way to go before that happens.”

The return to fitness of Cameroon defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto after three months out lessens the need for Villas-Boas to recall Rose next month.

But O’Neill added: “Tottenham have the ability to recall Danny in January. If that’s the case I’m just trying to enjoy him being here with us.

“He knows there are areas where he can improve, but he’s pleased with his performances and is enjoying it here immensely.

“He’s also taking on extra responsibility going forward. He’s not just a defensive full-back.”

- Simon Head looks into his crystal ball ahead of Manchester United vs Sunderland and the rest of the weekend's top-flight fixtures