Wahib Khazri gave the Black Cats a third-minute lead when his free-kick went straight through a crowded box to beat David de Gea in the away goal.
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The hosts’ early momentum was somewhat dented when Jan Kirchhoff had to be taken off injured after just a quarter of an hour and United soon grew into the contest.
It was a warning Sunderland failed to heed, as the visitors drew level six minutes before half-time.
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. Martial made it 1-1 with a close-range finish in the 39th. The United goalie was credited with an own goal, Kone’s first Sunderland goal will have to wait.
Substitute Memphis Depay placed a shot straight at Mannone from inside the area, but Kone finally found a way to win it for Sunderland, rising completely unmarked from a corner to power a header through the grasp of the goalkeeper, with the ball going in off the Spain international’s back after Martial tried to hook it clear on the line.
Van Gaal, who has spent $375 million in his 1½-year tenure, finished the game with 21-year-old Premier League debutant Donald Love and striker Will Keane – making his second Premier League appearance and first since the 2010-11 season – in the team.
It was the Black Cats’ first ever home win over Manchester United in the Premier League.
– Sunderland have gone 12 games without a clean sheet in the Premier League, the longest current run in the division.
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Sunderland’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United was not only deserved, but could have been even more comfortable.
