Despite a resolute defensive display Sunderland were undone by a solitary goal from a set piece on the stroke of half time away to Manchester United on Saturday afternoon. Former Red Devil Wes Brown was credited with an own goal on his return to Old Trafford as the lads couldn’t fashion an equaliser on Guy Fawkes night in a game which was far from explosive.

The build up to the game was dominated by Sir Alex Ferguson celebrating 25 years in charge at Old Trafford as Sunderland headed to Manchester United looking for their first win there since 1968.

We knew going into the game that last week’s starting eleven would be changed after Simon Mignolet and John O’Shea suffered injuries in the draw with Aston Villa. However, the problem Steve Bruce faced was whether to change his formation having found relative success in the last two games by playing two strikers in a 4-4-2 formation.

Manchester United had injury problems of their own with Ashley Young, Chris Smalling and Tom Cleverley all missing out.

Bruce opted to go 4-4-2 but was dealt an additional blow as David Vaughan also missed out through injury meaning a return to the side for Lee Cattermole whilst predictably Bardsley and Westwood replaced O’Shea and Mignolet.

Before we even got going we were forced to make a change after Connor Wickham was stretchered off after slipping over on the greasy surface. He was replaced by Ji as the lads controlled the opening period of the game with United not at the races.

Kieran Richardson created the first opportunity of the game when he crossed for Bendtner after a gallivanting run down the left flank. Though Bendtner couldn’t direct his header goal wards the loose ball fell to Larsson whose half volley was deflected wide. Soon after Bendtner did get a sight at goal though his shot was palmed away by the keeper.

Without producing anything spectacular we controlled the game and frustrated the champions and a piece of skill by Ji five minutes before half time presented the South Korean with a half chance but his left foot shot sailed over. It was a great turn to leave Ferdinand for dead but the finish was lacking where a pass may have been a better option.

Typically having done well for the opening half, Sunderland conceded right on half time from a set piece. Moments earlier United fired a warning effort from Jones who volleyed over on the turn but it was former United player Wes Brown who inadvertently gave the home side the lead. Nani’s corner was aimed at Danny Welbeck, but Wes Brown got the final touch which glanced into the Sunderland goal.

After the break it was more of the same as Sunderland defended well until the game sprung into life twenty minutes from time. Firstly Sunderland looked to have been awarded a penalty after Seb Larsson’s cross appeared to be handled but after consulting the linesman the ref gave the decision against Sunderland despite Nicklas Bendter having already placed the ball on the penalty spot.

We had another chance to equalise soon after but Bendter couldn’t get on the end of Larsson’s low cross before Keiren Westwood, who was composed throughout the game, produced a magnificent double save. The Irish stopper first saved a powerful effort from Wayne Rooney before recovering to tip over Evra’s follow up. A handball by Darren Fletcher in injury time present Larsson with a sight at goal from a free kick but the Swede didn’t clear the wall.

Though Sunderland couldn’t muster an equaliser the lads must take some credit for their defensive display but ultimately it was another defeat.

Final Score: Manchester United 1 Sunderland 0

ALS Man of the Match: Ji – held the ball up well

Aidan Crowe

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