English Premier League FT Report: Sunderland v Manchester United – Man Utd held to a draw
Manchester United’s poor away form continues as for the third time this season they have failed to get all 3 points while on the road. But this time it was maybe more a case of coming home with a point in hand rather than losing
all 3. Sunderland gave the team from Manchester a real run for their money throughout the game, and some may argue deserved more than a draw. Manchester United came to the Stadium of light with a patched up team – the club is suffering from a number of injuries;
none more important than the one to Wayne Rooney.
Sunderland was the team making all the plays as soon as the game kicked off. Jordan Henderson and Darren Bent were both creating problems for the United defence right from the get go. The Red Devils must have realised in the first
few minutes of the match that it was not going to be easy.
The makeshift opening attack pairing of Manchester United, Michael Owen and Federico Macheda, were really finding it hard to get to grips with the Sunderland backline.
Lee Cattermole and Steed Malbranque combined well in the box; the Frenchman was one on one with the Man Utd keeper Edwin van der Sar who did well to get down and kept the ball out. Still, the warning signs were there for United.
The Red Devils hardly tested Simon Mignolet in the Sunderland goal and it was a hands on deck effort for the first half an hour for United.
The first half finally ended and United would have been the happier of the two to hear that first half whistle.
Sir Alex hardly wasted any time in making changes after the break. Dimitar Berbatov was on as a half-time substitute for Michael Owen and right from the restart he had the ball in the net for Manchester United - but the offside
flag had long since been raised.
Soon there was another change as Javier Hernandez replaced Federico Macheda for Manchester United, amidst a far more even second half at Sunderland. The visitors were still struggling to create chances and some inspiration was
needed.
Steed Malbranque once again came close to breaking the deadlock at the Stadium of Light when his shot was deflected by Rio Ferdinand - but it looped over, rather than under, the bar.
20 minutes from time, there was a real opportunity for Sunderland. Phil Bardsley was released down the right and he pulled back for Darren Bent, but the England man put his first-time shot past the near post.
The visitors finally got their first decent attack going, Javier Hernandez linked up well with Dimitar Berbatov; the latter then stung a shot centimetres wide of the Sunderland upright.
Steve Bruce decided to go for it and made a couple of changes; Asamoah Gyan and Andy Reid came on for Steed Malbranque and Bolo Zenden.
As the match headed into its final 10 minutes, Ferguson played his final card. Call it inspirational or optimistic, but he sent on Bebe for his league debut. Even that did not work and Sunderland managed to hold United to a goalless
draw.
Manchester United manager sir Alex Ferguson after the game was forced to admit that going home with one point was still not such a bad result considering what had transpired on the pitch.
Ferguson said, “You have to give credit to Sunderland, their home record is fantastic. But the plus from me is that we defended very well. The back four were terrific. We've had difficult away games but the consistency of not losing
is something we can take. I'm satisfied with a point.”
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