Match Report
As Storm Amy swept through Manchester causing curious and changeable weather conditions throughout the 90 minutes inside Old Trafford. It was the matters on the pitch that had the crowd's attention inside the home of Manchester United. With a win being the only thing on the mind of all Red Devils. However, a tie that when the fixture list was announced over the summer, many would have had down as a banker for the home's side has been thrown into doubt over the first few weeks of the season. As today's visitors Sunderland have shown their quality and ability to compete at Premier League level after a very promising first few weeks of their own season. Of which a win for the away side have seen them already surpass the points tally of last seasons relegated Southampton.
The First Half
As you would have expected with Manchester United's indifferent form and lack of consistency going into the 3PM kick off, those around Old Trafford were not sure which side would turn up. As is becoming more familiar under Ruben Amorim, changes to last weeks team again causing a buzz and raised eye brows in equal measure as Senne Lammens got the nod to make his debut. As he appeared on the team sheet for the first time since his move from Royal Antwerp in the summer. A change possibly less surprising than the omission of Mattheaus Cunha, who was forced to start the afternoon on the bench as Mason Mount took his place in the starting XI.
The early exchanges saw the Black Cats in their away Blue strip start seeing a large amount of the ball mostly without being able to trouble United back line which included a return for Lenny Yoro. Although that could have been very different if Traore had been able to adjust his feet from a cross early on. Of which any touch surely would have seen the away side take the lead as Dalot was caught ball watching, with the attacker unmarked at near range. However, with the attacker not being able to make a meaningful connection on the driven cross it represented a reprise for United.
United utilised Sunderland's failure to convert perfectly and began imposing themself on the game. The majority of the good attacking play from United came from the right hand side which saw Amad and Mbeumo really start to influence the game and both forced the much praised Sunderland No1 Roefs into two really good saves; almost identical in the first half. As whipped shots from the right side of the box were well stopped, and pushed away from danger.
However, on the 8th minute mark Bryan Mbeumo produced a searching cross, which was well brought down by the re-introduced Mason Mount and he used the bodies in front of him to curl the ball low into the bottom right corner to raise the roof inside Old Trafford, having the majority inside the stadium dancing in the rain.
Manchester United continued to impress and saw themselves unlucky not to be two up as Captain Bruno Fernandes saw his flicked looping effort heroically pushed onto the post; a feat that looked almost impossible upon replay, by the Sunderland keeper.
As appears to be in vogue within the Premier League this season. Manchester United utilised the long throw from Dalot on the 31 minute mark which saw a cluster of Sunderland defenders rush to meet the first contact leaving Benjamin Sesko unmarked centre of the goal, and the Slovenian was able to make it back to back Premier League goals and his first in front of the home support, and have the hosts 2-0.
The away side began to get a foothold into the game after United's second goal and forced Lammens into his first save for the club from a thunderous strike from former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka, who is no stranger to the Old Trafford faithful. A further Sunderland cross into United's box was well claimed by their new keeper which was cheered as loudly as the goals which proceeded.
As the half drew to a close, there was one last moment of anxiety for the United faithful, as Sunderland were awarded a penalty for what at first glance appeared to be a boot to the face on Hume. However, replays showed that no contact was made by the Manchester United striker and it was rather the ball that hit the Sunderland man. A quick on field VAR decision saw the spot kick over ruled and United went into the half with a comfortable but not unassailable lead.
The Second Half
As frenetic a finish it was to the first half, the second half started with United largely controlling the game, albeit without the same level of attacking dominance which was on display for large parts of the first. The host settled into a rhythm in their passing with some neat tricks and flicks from the usual suspects; Mbeumo and Fernandes.
The away side did ask a few questions with some crosses into the area, but United were able to largely keep their opponents at arms length, limiting their visitors to shots from outside of the area.
Both sides utilised the slippery conditions to make some robust and some ill timed tackles which saw multiple yellow cards brandished, again with usual suspects including Xhaka and Casemiro.
As the game drew to a close, Sunderland saw themselves with their clearest opening of the match on the 90 minute mark, as the visitors found themselves one on one but like in the first, Lammens made another smart save to keep the two goal advantage. A performance that must clearly cement the young Belgian as United main shot stopper going forward.
There was still time for substitute Cunha to attempt to recreate Mkhitaryan's iconic scorpion kick, although he failed to make contact with the cross from Dorgu. A moment that would have added icing to the cake.
Although a very satisfying afternoon which saw "Glory Glory Manchester United" ring round Old Trafford at full time, and gave Amorim a win in his 50th game in charge of the Red Devils, and saw his much maligned side keep their first clean sheet of the season. A result which might ease the ever increasing pressure on their Portuguese manager. Which had the result been reversed would have surely made for weeks of speculation about changes within the United dugout.
The score line probably didn't do Manchester United justice, but as domestic football pauses for the international break, United can feel a bit better about themselves ahead of trickier fixtures ahead. A fixture list which includes Liverpool at Anfield next time out.
