Manchester United vs. Sunderland: Score, Grades, Reaction from Premier League
Wayne Rooney bagged a second-half brace as Manchester United moved up to third in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over visiting Sunderland on Saturday at Old Trafford.
Following a scoreless first half in which United repeatedly misfired in the final third, Rooney put the hosts ahead with a 66th-minute penalty. It was his first goal in nine league matches, but Rooney wasn't done, adding a second six minutes from time to seal the points.
Sunderland finished the match with 10 men, as Wes Brown saw red following the incident that led to the penalty—though it was his team-mate, John O'Shea, who was guilty of the foul.
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The win takes Manchester United up to third place on 50 points, two ahead of Arsenal, who host Everton on Sunday. Sunderland, who started the day three points above the relegation places, remain on 25 points.
Following last season's disappointing seventh-place finish under David Moyes, United's goal this season has been to reclaim a spot in the top four. Although the Red Devils have not played particularly attractive football of late under Louis van Gaal, Saturday's victory was their fourth in six league matches and it keeps United firmly in contention for a UEFA Champions League place.
Up next, United visit Newcastle United on Wednesday in the Premier League. Victory at St. James' Park would give Van Gaal's side momentum heading into next Monday's FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Sunderland, meanwhile, play at Hull City on Tuesday in a fixture matching two clubs fighting against relegation. Securing a result against another struggling club would give Gus Poyet's side a boost in their bid for survival.
United held the majority of possession from the opening kick-off, but Sunderland were comfortable in defence for much of the first half, even showing glimpses of danger on the counter.
In the fourth minute, Rooney directed a header off target following a United corner. Two minutes later, Sunderland's Connor Wickham cut in from the left flank and powered to the edge of the box before firing a low shot on target. United goalkeeper David de Gea palmed the ball away to keep the match level.
Sunderland had another sight of goal in the seventh minute as Jermain Defoe curled a shot off target. In the 12th minute, United's Ashley Young smashed a powerful volley narrowly over the bar. Defoe had another opportunity four minutes later, curling a shot straight at De Gea, who held.
United nearly opened the scoring in the 25th minute, only to be denied by some desperate but effective defending. Angel Di Maria freed Antonio Valencia down the right flank, with Valencia crossing to the back post for Young. After controlling with his chest, Young hit a low ball toward the far post that appeared destined for the back of the net. But O'Shea, defending near the goal line, clipped a clearance off the underside of the bar to keep United out.
Young came close again in the 34th minute, bouncing a shot narrowly wide of the far post after dribbling across the edge of the box. Four minutes later, Costel Pantilimon tipped a Rooney free-kick over the bar.
Van Gaal made a change at half-time, hauling off Di Maria in favour of Adnan Januzaj. But as the second half began, United encountered more frustration in the offensive third.
In the 49th minute, Januzaj linked with Chris Smalling on the left before Smalling crossed to the back post. Falcao headed into the path of Marcos Rojo, whose first-time effort sailed well over the bar. Januzaj then fizzed a shot wide of the target in the 61st minute after Sunderland were unable to clear a Rooney free-kick.
The match took a dramatic turn in the 64th minute as United won a penalty following a moment of class from Falcao. Accepting a cross driven in from the right flank, he controlled the ball with an excellent touch. As the Colombian turned to goal, he was pulled back by O'Shea, prompting referee Roger East to blow his whistle for a penalty.
The decision itself was not controversial, but East sent off Brown—for denying a goalscoring opportunity—in a case of mistaken identity, prompting some onlookers to question the referee on Twitter:
After a delay of two minutes, Rooney coolly converted the penalty past Pantilimon for a 1-0 United lead.
It was the last act on the pitch for Falcao, as Marouane Fellaini replaced him in the 68th minute. Journalist Duncan Castles questioned the decision and Van Gaal's reasoning behind it:
United came close to scoring a second in the 70th minute, but Pantilimon pushed away a Januzaj shot bound for the bottom corner. Daley Blind forced another save with a low drive in the 79th minute, and Rojo powered a header narrowly wide one minute later.
The second goal arrived in the 84th minute as Rooney headed in from close range after Pantilimon parried a Januzaj shot from the right flank. Rooney made way for substitute Juan Mata, having ended a personal eight-game scoring drought and secured the full three points for his side.
United had the ball in the net again in stoppage time, but Ander Herrera's goal was correctly ruled out for offside.
Grades
| David De Gea | 7.0 |
| Antonio Valencia | 7.8 |
| Chris Smalling | 7.6 |
| Jonny Evans | 7.3 |
| Marcos Rojo | 6.8 |
| Ander Herrera | 7.8 |
| Daley Blind | 7.3 |
| Angel Di Maria | 6.5 |
| Wayne Rooney | 8.2 |
| Ashley Young | 8.1 |
| Radamel Falcao | 7.1 |
| Adnan Januzaj (for Di Maria, 46') | 7.2 |
| Marouane Fellaini (for Falcao, 68') | 6.4 |
| Juan Mata (for Rooney, 86') | 6.1 |
| Costel Pantilimon | 7.9 |
| Anthony Reveillere | 6.9 |
| John O'Shea | 6.3 |
| Wes Brown | 6.5 |
| Patrick van Aanholt | 7.2 |
| Lee Cattermole | 6.9 |
| Adam Johnson | 6.2 |
| Sebastian Larsson | 6.2 |
| Jordi Gomez | 6.5 |
| Connor Wickham | 6.1 |
| Jermain Defoe | 5.9 |
| Danny Graham (for Defoe, 67') | 6.3 |
| Santiago Vergini (for Wickham, 67') | 6.3 |
| Steven Fletcher (for Johnson, 81') | 5.8 |
Reaction
Manchester United goalscorer Wayne Rooney, via BBC Sport:
"It's great to score but the three points are the most important thing after last week. We deserved the three points. We knew Sunderland would be dogged. They defended well, but we were patient. It was a good performance.
The performance was good. We had a bit more space with the 10 men but we should have been ahead before that.
I think there are a lot of teams in a good run of form and there's not much difference between the top teams. We hope that, come the end of the season, we're in the right position.
"
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal, via Sky Sports:
"I’m very pleased. Ashley Young has played a good match. He gives power and security on that side. So I was pleased with him. But I was pleased with more players today. I don’t want to talk too much about individual players.
We have played this system against Chelsea and Man City and Palace. At that time the balance was not so well as today. That’s a big step in the process. You can’t always play in this system. This is dependable on a lot of aspects in your team but also the opponent.
Every player needs confidence and when you score two goals it lifts his (Rooney’s) confidence. I was also happy Falcao did that wonderful action because he prepared the penalty.
"
Sunderland manager Gus Poyet, via BBC Sport:
"It was difficult to see what happened (in the red card incident). We're trying to get a video. It's between two players. We have to analyse. It didn't look an easy decision to make.
The referee said that Wes Brown was the one who fouled Falcao first. That's what he told the players.
You need to ask the referee (about the decision). We will analyse it and make a decision.
"
Follow @MiguelCominguez
