MARTIN O'NEILL has attempted to diffuse a potential row with Wayne Rooney ahead of a first meeting with Manchester United since Sunderland supporters celebrated Manchester City's Premier League title triumph in May.

Rooney was hurting at the Stadium of Light seven months ago when United thought they had secured the trophy only for two late goals at the Etihad Stadium to claim the crown for the blue half of Manchester.

While Sir Alex Ferguson's deflated players trudged around the Wearside turf, applauding the travelling supporters who had hoped to see a title party, many Sunderland fans taunted their United counterparts by adopting City's Poznan celebration.

Rooney has been speaking of that in the build up to Sunderland's visit to Old Trafford and has outlined a desire to claim revenge when the two clubs come together this afternoon.

"We heard the Sunderland fans cheering, it was sad to see that because they should be supporting their own team really," said Rooney, who claimed not to know the City scoreline until the fans started to react.

"They didn't have the best of seasons so for them to be cheering like that was sad. It was something myself and a lot of player won't forget."

Rooney also went on to suggest that the Sunderland date was one of the first he looked for when the fixtures were announced in the summer.

But O'Neill thinks Manchester United's players should not take the matter personally, claiming it would have been similar had the outcome been the other way around. Either way he would not have expected this afternoon's match to be easy for his team.

"I understand that (frustration), of course, when you have just lost the championship and you see the opposition fans reacting in that way," said the Sunderland manager.

"I have to say had it been in reverse and it was Manchester City who had lost out I think Sunderland fans would have been cheering on Manchester United, I genuinely believe that.

"But on the day it was hurtful to lose the title. Of course it is something you would pay attention to, but I am never sure in the case of Manchester United you can play with any stronger view or feeling. That is why they win championships. They are always strong."

Sunderland head to Old Trafford buoyed by a return to winning ways after Tuesday's 3-0 win over Reading. There will, though, be late fitness checks on Adam Johnson (dead leg) and Danny Rose (hamstring). Phil Bardsley (knee) is definitely missing.

There are 23 points separating Sunderland from league leaders United, despite the fact the Red Devils have only kept three clean sheets in the league this season.

O'Neill said: "Old Trafford has been very strong for quite a number of years which is why they have won titles and they are generally stronger home than away.

"It will be a difficult task for us. I have heard people say 'you don't have anything to lose' but I am not so sure about that. I do think you can play with freedom and more confidence than we might have had a few weeks ago.

"It would be terrific to get a third win for myself there, not from a selfish viewpoint but it would be points on the board for the football club which are vital for us at this stage. We have a set of games coming up which are exceptionally tough and the run will be a severe test."

If Rose is passed fit then it will be a huge boost for O'Neill. The young left-back, on loan from Tottenham, has been the pick of Sunderland's players in recent weeks and the hope is that Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas does not recall him next month.

"Spurs do have the ability to recall in January, if that's the case so be it," said O'Neill. "He is very pleased with his performances and enjoying it immensely and the reaction of the crowd suggests they like him.

"There are parts of the game he agrees he can do better with but he really has been excellent taking on extra responsibility going forward. He is happier to give the ball, move it on, than I think he was initially because he said himself he didn't have the same confidence."