The 5th game of the season and Man Utd are grinding out results even on their own turf. It was another match which produced another round of stubborn opposition though it did not actually started out that way in the first ten minutes.
Before the start, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was given an honourable ovation and a special farewell sending off in front of Old Trafford, looking ever so chic in a black suit. As he made his way past the two teams, who formed a Guard-of-Honour formation, there was a sweet moment as he especially shook the hands of Sir Alex who had brought him to the club when he was 23.
As he left the pitch, he was also greeted with warmth by Roy Keane, who was the ex-captain of Man Utd and now manager of Sunderland.
Then on to the match proper.
There were some slick and crisp passing and Man Utd were playing more direct as compared to their previous games. Craig Gordon was busy in the Sunderland goal especially in the 2nd half, although most of the shots were not threatening.
The introduction of Louis Saha, after a long injury spell, in place of debutant Anderson, proved to be the masterstroke. It gave Man Utd that killer instinct in front of goal and as it turned out, Saha got the match winner. He had a great snap shot after a brilliant interchange of passes from midfield, and though it was saved, Saha showed Man Utd needs a real striker.
Wes Brown had a nightmare Right back performance as he made 4 wayward passes throughout the match and did not contribute anything significant offensively. I wonder what will have happen if the opposition had been any of the other top 4 teams. Maybe it's time Man Utd looked to their youth players; Johnny Evans come to mind, and I don't mind O'Shea playing there either.
Plan A did not work last night, but Plan B sure did. Vidic agonisingly missed from a Hargreaves corner and Saha scored from there later on.
Compliment to Sunderland for their resolute defending, but they need to be more brave offensively.
Before the start, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was given an honourable ovation and a special farewell sending off in front of Old Trafford, looking ever so chic in a black suit. As he made his way past the two teams, who formed a Guard-of-Honour formation, there was a sweet moment as he especially shook the hands of Sir Alex who had brought him to the club when he was 23.
As he left the pitch, he was also greeted with warmth by Roy Keane, who was the ex-captain of Man Utd and now manager of Sunderland.
Then on to the match proper.
There were some slick and crisp passing and Man Utd were playing more direct as compared to their previous games. Craig Gordon was busy in the Sunderland goal especially in the 2nd half, although most of the shots were not threatening.
The introduction of Louis Saha, after a long injury spell, in place of debutant Anderson, proved to be the masterstroke. It gave Man Utd that killer instinct in front of goal and as it turned out, Saha got the match winner. He had a great snap shot after a brilliant interchange of passes from midfield, and though it was saved, Saha showed Man Utd needs a real striker.
Wes Brown had a nightmare Right back performance as he made 4 wayward passes throughout the match and did not contribute anything significant offensively. I wonder what will have happen if the opposition had been any of the other top 4 teams. Maybe it's time Man Utd looked to their youth players; Johnny Evans come to mind, and I don't mind O'Shea playing there either.
Plan A did not work last night, but Plan B sure did. Vidic agonisingly missed from a Hargreaves corner and Saha scored from there later on.
Compliment to Sunderland for their resolute defending, but they need to be more brave offensively.
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