SUNDERLAND'S form may have finally started to improve, but Seb Larsson has warmed up for this weekend's trip to Old Trafford by insisting a summer of change can't be used as an excuse for failure.

After spending the first few months towards the wrong end of the Premier League table, the Black Cats have started to climb after losing just two of their last six matches.

But Larsson, reflecting on the early stages of his career on Wearside, thinks there should be no attempts made to paper over any cracks in their displays by suggesting it takes time for a new-look squad to gel.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce brought in 11 new signings over the course of the summer, including Ahmed Elmohamady who spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light.

After failing to win any of their opening five fixtures, such a turnover in personnel had increased the doubts around the place.

However, Larsson feels Sunderland have a squad capable of finishing much higher than the 14th position they find themselves in and he is not about to look for excuses if that doesn't happen.

"I don't think the amount of new players we've got is an excuse that we're going to use performance-wise," said Larsson. "We've been together a while now and I think you can see in certain parts of the games that we are starting to find each other; we are starting to find out how each other plays.

"We just need to keep going and keep working on that. Unfortunately we went behind twice in the game on Saturday against Aston Villa - it's kind of been our Achilles heel in the Premier League this season. You leave yourself a mountain to climb.

"We have only been ahead in two games this season and won both of them fairly comfortably. We need to make sure we get that first goal as many times as possible.

"I look at the league table and we probably haven't picked up as many points as we'd have liked - no-one would say that - but it's still very tight. We're three off eighth place - we need to keep going because when we do start to pick up points as long as we're in there then we've got a chance."

Sunderland's improved results has coincided with Larsson's influence in games increasing, with his deliveries from set-pieces and the wing causing problems for the opposition.

The Swedish winger's crossing was even likened to that of David Beckham by Bruce after last Saturday's draw with Villa, when his centre created the chance for Stephane Sessegnon to head in a late equaliser.

"I'm not going to lie and say I practise for an extra half an hour every day to get it right," said Larsson. "But as long as I can remember I've really enjoyed free-kicks, set pieces in general - I love that part of the game.

"Even when I was a kid, people wanted to dribble and take on players but I wanted to take free-kicks and stuff like that. When you are given that responsibility, it is a big responsibility in the modern game. It is not something that you are given lightly any more so it is nice to see it pay off every now and then."

Larsson, who was first signed by Bruce during his time in charge at Birmingham, has also been hailed as, arguably, the greatest ‘free transfer of the summer by his boss.

And after a youth spent graduating through the ranks at Arsenal before his spell at St Andrew's, Larsson is enjoying his new taste of North-East life ahead of Saturday's Bonfire Night trip to Manchester United.

"I've really, really enjoyed it since I've came. I came looking for a big challenge, trying to take the next step in my career. I wanted a big club that was capable of finishing high up in the Premier League and Sunderland definitely qualifies on that front," he said.

"When you look at the backing, the number of fans - it is remarkable.

We had 4,500 fans at Bolton, which is absolutely amazing. Only big clubs can do that - it doesn't happen if you're not a big club. The fans have been brilliant through everything."

He added: "United is one of those games where you want to play - you want to test yourself. It is arguably the toughest fixture of the season but at the same time I suppose this is one of the games where no-one expects anything from us.

"The pressure is not on us to produce in Manchester. We're going to go out and nothing is ever impossible. We're going to go out with a game-plan and try to get something out of the game."