A refreshing performance saw United put away three points and Wayne Rooney’s much needed opportunity to prove the point that he is at his prime when positioned as a forward could not have come at a better time. Looking lively within the premature stages of the game, Di Maria delivered a cross searching for the head of Red Devils’ captain who could not quite direct it as he was to in the second half. Sunderland attempted to respond soon after courtesy of Connor Wickham who found De Gea behind his shot but the power needed to shoot from outside of the box caused the opposing ‘keeper to put it past the other side of the post. The subsequent corner found Wes Brown in a similar situation to Rooney, sending his effort off to the left. The visitors took the initiative and Jermain Defoe followed his striker partner’s example but rocketed the ball over the bar from the edge of the white lines and both were involved once more as the latter teammate’s through ball was put to a swift end by referee Roger East’s whistle, signalling for an offside against former Spurs striker.
In the reverse final third, a set piece was awarded and Ashley Young managed to seek out the ball amongst a scrap and scramble as a result of our British transfer records sending-in but it was to be the top of the net rather than the desired back of it. At the other end, Defoe took aim once more tamely and United’s shot-stopper remained unconcerned as he collected. The centre-spot of the box took more hammering as The Black Cat’s 21-year-old frontman tried his luck as many had before him and similarly, faced the same fate. Off-target. An awkward angle was not off-putting for Young, who balanced accuracy and intensity, drilling a low curled try wide. The last threat of the first half was kept out by Pantilimon, Rooney’s set piece. Larsson was perfectly placed on the line to avoid conceding at the worst possible time, in the 39th minute.
Di Maria’s lack of successful contribution made way for Januzaj who proved a much more productive alternative. Falcao turned up and selflessly headed down for Rojo who epitomised the home sides luck by watching the ball fly over the crossbar. Rooney delivered once more and a poor clearance created an opening for the substitute winger, narrowly beyond the upright with a formidable shot. Herrera’s cross found the Reds’ on-loan number 9, easy-on-the-eye in his twisting and turning amongst Sunderland’s backline but was seemingly denied by a pull, apparently worthy of sending off, Wes Brown seeing red in more than one ways. Rooney’s nerve allowed him to pick out his spot in the right corner, well deserved. Triple substitutions were made amongst the two managers and Fellaini took Falcao’s place in the budding attack, Gus Poyet copying with his strikers both taking the seats of Graham and Vergini in the dugout.
The away outfit goalie palmed once more from Januzaj (also, once more). The youngster’s goal threat was undeniable and Van Aanholt felt the need to challenge his opposition of late in hope of keeping his side in the contest. A yellow card was awarded for this. Rojo wished to be the one to put the game beyond doubt but it was not to be as he headed wide, whereas Wayne Rooney was on target moments later after Januzaj was frustratingly denied yet again. With a brace to his name, the England international received a standing ovation as Juan Mata joined the fray. The Manchester outfit were unstoppable as the ball was beyond Pantilimon for a third time, but ruled offside in stoppage time, the last action of the game and Rooney becomes the first player in English top-flight history to score 10 goals or above in 11 seasons successively.
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