Bidding to close the six-point gap separating them from the Champions League places, United fell behind in the third minute when Wahbi Khazri’s free-kick from wide on the Sunderland left crept in.
Anthony Martial levelled before half-time, but an unfortunate 82nd-minute own goal by United goalkeeper David de Gea gifted Sunderland the points and increased the pressure on embattled United manager Van Gaal.
Khazri had set up Jermain Defoe for a late equaliser in Sunderland’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool and he made an early impression on his home debut with a free-kick that eluded everyone to nestle in the bottom-right corner.
United built up a head of steam and equalised in the 39th minute when Martial artfully dinked in his 10th goal of the season after Vito Mannone had parried Juan Mata’s low shot.
But Sunderland regained the lead when the unmarked Lamine Kone met Khazri’s right-wing corner with a powerful header that found the net via Martial’s right foot and De Gea’s right elbow.
Dimitri Payet celebrated his new West Ham contract by scoring and then teeing up Mark Noble for a thumping 76th-minute equaliser after goals from Robbie Brady and Wes Hoolahan appeared to have put Norwich in control.
Southampton crept past West Ham into sixth place on goal difference after extending their unbeaten run to six league games by winning 1-0 at Swansea City courtesy of Shane Long’s 69th-minute header.
Watford are now eighth after captain Troy Deeney scored twice in a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace, who momentarily drew level through new signing Emmanuel Adebayor’s header.
Stoke are ninth following a 3-1 win at Bournemouth in which record ?18.3 million ($26.4 million, 24.2 million euros) signing Giannelli Imbula opened the scoring with an instinctive ninth-minute volley from 25 yards.
Ibrahim Afellay and Joselu swelled Stoke’s lead early in the second half before Matt Ritchie hit back.
Everton lost ground on their rivals for European football after a 1-0 defeat at home to West Bromwich Albion, for whom Salomon Rondon chested in a 14th-minute winner.
Chelsea romped to a convincing 5-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday but were left to rue an injury to John Terry that forced him off.
Diego Costa opened the scoring early after he collected a through-ball from Willian and slotted it under the body of Rob Elliot, before Pedro doubled his side’s lead after capitalising on a defensive error minutes later.
Willian then got his name on the scoresheet before Pedro got his brace by latching on to a lofted ball from Cesc Fabregas.
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