Manchester United returned to winning ways this Saturday, a week after their defeat at Brentford. Ruben Amorim's side, featuring Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot in the starting XI, hosted and defeated Sunderland 2-0 in their Premier League Matchday 7 fixture.
Following their 1-3 loss in the previous round, Ruben Amorim had called for a strong response. Ahead of the match, the manager emphasized the need for "focus" throughout the 90 minutes, and the five changes made to the starting lineup, notably the debut of 23-year-old goalkeeper Lammens, underscored this message.
The opposition was no pushover, despite their "newly promoted" tag suggesting otherwise: Sunderland entered this match in fourth place and, even after the defeat, remain ahead of Manchester United — with 11 points, one more than the Red Devils. Régis Le Bris's team started with more possession, but suffered the first blow in the 8th minute. Mason Mount, one of Amorim's new additions to the lineup, received the ball unmarked in the box and, with a well-placed shot, opened the scoring at Old Trafford.
This set the tone for the hosts' resurgence. Until the 43rd minute, they allowed no dangerous shots from their opponents. It was the first step in what would prove to be Ruben Amorim's side's most complete performance of the season. Their concentration remained high, and even without creating as much danger in the second half, Manchester United effectively controlled Sunderland's attacking impulses. In the first half, however, the second goal was delayed, thanks to high-level interventions from Roefs, who denied Mason Mount and Mbeumo before, with a spectacular save in the 25th minute, he thwarted a superb effort from Bruno Fernandes.
In the 31st minute, the goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent Benjamin Sesko from deflecting the ball in the six-yard box for the 2-0 lead, following a deflection off Mukiele. The Slovenian forward scored his second goal in as many games and was a standout performer: he was more involved than usual, launched a couple of quick attacks with one-touch plays, and showcased his physical prowess to hold up the ball and drive forward, setting up Bryan Mbeumo for one of the best chances of the second half. The first half, however, didn't end without a scare, partly due to the former Leipzig striker, who raised his foot high in the box following a set-piece. Trai Hume went down, Stuart Atwell consulted VAR, but no foul was given.
The 2-0 scoreline at halftime would ultimately be the final result. Both teams approached the second half with more caution, and Manchester United managed their lead effectively, although Sunderland became more persistent in the final 20 minutes. In the 90th minute, Lammens saved a shot from Talbi, who, in a good position, couldn't beat the Belgian, who made his Red Devils debut without conceding a goal — it was, in fact, the first time in the 2025/26 season that no one had scored against the English club. This was the last real moment of danger in the match, which ended with three more points for Man. United. Ruben Amorim will undoubtedly take many positives from this encounter, which was their most accomplished performance and result of the season.
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