Lacklustre reds stumble to dull draw
Manchester United had their first scoreless draw of the season as they were held at the Stadium of Light. They lacked any sort of cohesion or drive for most of the game. Only Senne Lammens emerged with some credit form the encounter.
The home side were left cursing their missed opportunity to score a rare win over us. They had the better chances in the match but could not take them. It also probably ends their feint European hopes.
Michael Carrick elected to make five changes from the win over Liverpool. Both Benjamin Sesko and Casemiro were missing due to slight knocks. Diogo Dalot, Ayden Heaven, and Bryan Mbeumo all dropped to the bench. In came Joshua Zirkzee, Mason Mount, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, and Amad Diallo.
Dan Ballard was suspended for the home side after his sending off against Wolves. Lutsharel Geertruida came in his place as Regis Le Bris shuffled around his formation.
The Black Cats were looking to recover from a desperate performance against Nottingham Forest last time out and were almost ahead within the first four minutes. Noussair Mazraoui saw his attempted clearance picked off by Granit Xhaka. He played a one-two with Chemsdine Talbi on the edge of the box. The latter’s curling effort went just past the post.
Xhaka was at it again moments later. This time he helped win back possession before playing the ball through for Noah Sadiki. He was through on goal but Senne Lammens managed to touch it past the post.
The best opportunity for Utd in this spell came when Bruno Fernandes played a free kick into the path of Amad Diallo. The former Sunderland loanee put his shot just wide. The home fans screamed for a penalty when the ball struck him in the area. It was adjudged to have been a deflection onto him.
Sadiki had another effort go wide and Brian Brobbey shot across goal as the home side continued to force the pace. Joshua Zirkzee was unable to be the focal point needed and Mason Mount struggled to impose himself in the middle. A lacklustre final ball from the former in a rare break summed up proceedings.
Utd came out with greater energy in the second half. They were not able to create a clear cut opportunity though.
It was the hosts who looked the more likely still though. Enzo Le Fee picked up the ball after we had lost possession once more. He threaded the ball through for Brobbey who was clear on goal. Lammens was again to the rescue with a smart save to deny him. He was helpless to an effort from Geertruida after a Brobbey lay-off. It crashed off the post to his relief.
Sub Nilson Angulo was fortunate to escape a red card when he appeared to lay an elbow in on Fernandes. It was cleared on VAR check.
The away side had not had a shot on target until injury time. Fernandes swept the ball down the line for Patrick Dorgu to pick up. His cut back found Matheus Cunha in the middle. His first time effort was saved by Robin Roofs. He was booked when the ball came back to him for going down under no pressure.
It is clear that strengthening needs to take place with this squad in the summer. There was relief and frustration in equal measure at the end. We next play Nottingham Forest in out final home game this season on Sunday at 12:30. Sunderland play away to Everton on the same day.
Sunderland: Robin Roofs, Lutsharel Geertruida, Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, Reinildo Mandava, Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Trai Hume (Eliezer Mayenda 90), Enzo Le Fee, Chemsdine Talbi (Nilson Angulo 79), Brian Brobbey.
Subs not used: Melkor Ellborg, Dennis Cirkin, Chris Rigg, Luke O’ Nein, Wilson Isidor, Habib Diarra, Jocelin Bi.
Booked: None
Sent Off: None
Machester United: Senne Lammens, Noussair Mazraoui, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo (Bryan Mbeumo 75), Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Joshua Zirkzee (Patrick Dorgu 65).
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Diogo Dalot, Tyrell Malacia, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Jack Fletcher, Tyler Fletcher.
Booked: Mason Mount (54), Joshua Zirkzee (58), Matheus Cunha (90+3)
Sent Off: None
Referee: Stuart Atwell
Attendance: 47,223
Simply Red Man of the Match: Senne Lammens
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