Sunderland 0-0 Manchester United: Red Devils struggle their way to scoreless draw

It was a bit of a slog for both sides — Man United in particular — and the goalkeepers made the saves they had to. Sunderland looked much better in the first half but faded in the second. A point apiece will appease the Black Cats more.

Matheus Cunha has finally put United’s first shot on target today but he hit it right at Robin Roefs, who couldn’t catch and hold but managed to punch it far enough away.

Man United will be thanking the football gods after that one. Lammens was rooted to the spot and Geertruida played a quick one-two at the top of the box and hit a low shot at the far post. It struck the front of the woodwork and bounced back into play. Not entirely sure Lammens saw the ball through the traffic.

Undoubtedly, the biggest question that Michael Carrick must answer next season (should he be retained) is: How do United create scoring chances other than on the counter? Sunderland are as rigid and defensively disciplined as any side in the PL, and the space for United to play in behind is simply not there (Sesko’s absence also hurts here). When they play their way into the final third, they’re settling for too many sideways passes and hopeful balls into the box from out wide.

Possession: 52-48
Shots: 10-4
On target: 3-0
xG: 0.97-0.30

We’re half an hour in and United have only attempted two shots — a free kick wide of the mark and a header that was never getting under the bar. The Red Devils don’t look nearly as dangerous on the counter-attack with Sesko on the field, and they are yet to get Joshua Zirkzee properly involved. Only Sunderland have looked like scoring thus far.

A minute later, Sunderland are well and truly in on goal, but Lammens makes a strong save on Noah Sadiki’s shot. The midfielder tried to go low to the near post, but Lammens was all over it. Perhaps a striker opens his body up and bends it around Lammens the other way.

We didn’t see a shot until the 5th minute, but oh how close it was to a spectacular opening goal for Sunderland. Chemsdine Talbi cut in off the left side and tried to curl one around Senne Lammens, but just missed the far post. Inches away.

Amad Diallo starts on the right with winger Bryan Mbeumo (9 goals, 3 assists) available off the bench today. Striker Benjamin Sesko (11 goals, 1 assist) misses out due to a knock after scoring nine times in his last 14 PL appearances.

Lammens - Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw - Mainoo, Mount, Fernandes - Amad, Cunha, Zirkzee

Roefs - Mukiele, Geertruida, Alderete, Reinildo - Xhaka, Sadiki, Le Fee - Hume, Talbi, Brobbey