Sunderland manager David Moyes has admitted that he is hopeful that his side "can find a way" in their fight against relegation.

The Black Cats suffered a 3-1 defeat at Moyes's old side Manchester United this afternoon to leave them stuck in 18th place in the Premier League table, two points away from safety.

"Up until 1-0 we had a good chance to get something out of the game but we gave away a dreadful second goal and the third was offside," Moyes told reporters afterwards. "We hung in. We sort of stifled them, stuck at it and said if we could hold it at 1-0, they might get nervous in the last 10 minutes but we couldn't do it.

"We are going to have to try and galvanise from within. It is not a situation I am used to but some of the players are. I hope we can find a way.

"I think we are optimistic because we have got a couple of results. We are on their tails.

Next up for Moyes's men is a trip to Burnley on New Year's Eve.