THE HEAT WAS on David Moyes as he sought to climb the league table with a stuttering Manchester United.
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Sunderland 1 — 2 Manchester United
Welcome along to our coverage of Manchester United’s ongoing search for league form. We’ll have the full team news for you soon but here’s a taster: Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney will start up front together.
Manchester United: De Gea; Rafael, Jones, Vidic, Evra; Carrick, Cleverley, Nani, Januzaj; Rooney, van Persie.
Sunderland: Westwood, Celustka, Colback, O’Shea, Roberge, Cattermole, Ki, Gardner, Johnson, Giaccherini, Altidore.
Cummins says it was “hurtful” for some members that their role in the Seanad was reduced to an argument of cost during the campaign.
A first league start for promising Belgian teenager Adnan Januzaj.
What do you make of the line-ups?
Robin van Persie was the matchwinner, with thanks to a hefty deflection, the last time the two sides met at the Stadium of Light:
YouTube credit: ControlGamingNetwork
David Moyes has named an outrageously attacking bench, just in case. Lindergaard and Smalling to cover goalkeeping/defensive crises. Hernandez, Welbeck, Valencia, Kagawa and Giggs to look after attacking matters if the champions fall behind.
Borini, Wickham and Larsson are the attacking threats on the Black Cats’ bench. Vito Mannone is Keiren Westwood’s goalkeeping back-up.
David Moyes has told Sky Sports that he is hoping to get Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie “firing”. He adds, with understated, gritted teeth charm, that he is looking for a better performance than last week [the 2 -- 1 loss to West Brom]. “That’s for sure,” he adds. Reassuring stuff there.
Altidore chases down a through ball but Vidic, having given up a few yards, eventually clears the danger. Van Persie then concedes a soft free after Januzaj gives up possession.
GOAL: Sunderland 1 — 0 Manchester United (Gardner ’4)
What a calamity for United. Giaccherini beats Evra and whips a ball in. Jones kicks his clearance straight at Vidic, 10 yards away, and the ball drops to Garnder who fires low and to De Gea’s left.
Nani has United’s first shot on goal but his fizzer is a yard wide of Westwood’s righthand post.
So close to 2 — 0 as Sunderland pile forward. They have a three-on-one but Gardner was looking for Altidore and Jones got back to make a last-ditch tackle.
Nani lofts a ball into the box and Rooney outjumps O’Shea but his nod down to van Persie is too close to Westwood. Nani then earns his side a corner. 11 minutes gone.
That corner was comfortably dealt with. Westwood then makes a wonder save from Rooney, from three yards out, but play is called back for an offside against Evra.
Sunderland are more than happy to let the United defence pass the ball around unfettered and drop 10 men behind the ball. United fans remain in good voice, singing their ‘Come on David Moyes’ version of the Slade song.
Januzaj shows great skill on the edge of the Sunderland box but his shot flies two yards wide.
Vidic clatters into Altidore to concede a free kick just 20 yards from goal and centrally placed. Carrick, on the end of the wall, takes the sting out of Giacherrini’s free kick.
Bad, bad miss from an unmarked Nani on the back post. Evra whipped in a great ball from the left flank and it dropped perfectly for the winger, who tried to sidefoot it home. Placement over power and he gets his placement all wrong.
Altidore, meanwhile, is making a mug out of Vidic.
Rafael messes up a simple one-two with van Persie to scupper another move. Januzaj, moments before, had a soft shot on target saved. Worrying that an 18-year-old is providing the only spark for United. Saying that, there is some collection of attacking talent riding the pine.
Westwood gets a strong fist to a van Persie corner and danger is averted yet again. Here’s a fact for you — United have not lost three straight Premier League games for 12 seasons.
De Gea adds to the sense of shoddy desperation with a sand wedge clearance from a back pass. He clears at the second time of asking but Sunderland pile forward again.
AMAZING SAVE from De Gea keeps it at 1 — 0 as he dives at full stretch to keep out a Giaccherini header. 34 minutes on the clock and Januzaj earns a free kick 30 yards from the Black Cats goal. United circa 2013 love a setpiece.
I’ll see if I can track down footage of that De Gea save because, if United get back into this game [a big if], that could be the season’s turning point.
Van Persie tries to square for Rooney in the six hard box but O’Shea hacks clear.
United have swapped Januzaj to the right wing and, I must say, he loves taking pot-shots. His latest is blocked down. Westwood saves from Nani, from an acute angle. Another corner comes in, then out. Five minutes left in the half and Rooney takes a yellow for the team/hacks Gardner down on halfway.
Adam Johnson tears the United backline asunder after ghosting past Nani. He commits four navy shirts before squaring to Giaccherini, who wallops the ball four storeys high.
Rooney’s corner — United’s fourth — is far too close for Westwood and he is unhindered as he claims at the back post. Into injury time.
The Carrick-Cleverley double act is looking stale. Van Persie takes control and sets up Nani on the left but the winger’s touch is leaden and Giaccherini gets back to clear.
Do you think United have any hope of winning the league if they lose four of their first seven games?
Poll Results:
The troll [a.k.a Piers Morgan] returns…
No changes from either side but how long before Kagawa or Welbeck are sprung from the bench. Hernandez will only get the last 20/25 minutes, one imagines, if United are still trailing.
No footage surfacing yet but here is a fantastic picture of that first-half save from De Gea.
The United goalkeeper claws away Giaccherini’s header. Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
GOAL! Sunderland 1 — 1 Manchester United (Januzaj ’54)
Really cool finish from the United teenager as he uses the defender as a screen and sidefoots to Westwood’s right to equalise.
Evra with the assist there for the equaliser. He raced down the left flank and squared for the Belgian to slot home.
Van Persie is close to putting United ahead but his whipped shot from 15 yards out is straight at Westwood.
GOAL: Sunderland 1 — 2 Manchester United (Januzaj ’61)
This lad is something special. Nani’s cross is headed clear to the far side of the box but Januzaj is there waiting. He strikes low, across the ball, and it bullets past a helpless Westwood.
65 minutes on the clock and, all of a sudden, Carrick is running the show and the United fans are singing ‘Who the F(udge) are Man United?’ Amazing what a couple of goals can do.
Tom Cleverley makes his second liveblog appearance this evening as he steals in to stop Giaccherini in his Italian tracks on the edge of the United box. It will be interesting to see if Moyes sticks with his starting XI for as long as possible in his desperate need for three points.
A deserved booking for Vidic as he chops down Altidore inside his own half. He has been troubled by the cumbrous yet effective American all match.
Here is Januzaj stroking home his first:
The Belgian has two goals now. Owen Humphreys/PA Wire
75 minutes gone and United seem content to let Sunderland come from their defensive shell. Moyes makes two substitutions as Nani is replaced by Welbeck and Valencia comes on for Januzaj. No hat-trick then.
The Belgian is in esteemed company.
O’Shea takes a yellow with no complaints after bumping Welbeck to the turf some 35 yards from goal. Into the final 10 minutes here and Rafael has a left-footed shot on goal easily saved by Westwood.
Jones’ diving defensive header cuts out a Giaccherini cross then Rooney clears Larsson’s corner. The Swede gets a second chance but Vidic hacks his squared ball out from the six yard box.
Another game on the bench for 90 minutes for Hernandez and Kagawa. Smalling prepares to come on as Rafael boots clear. It is his last action of the game and he limps off now as the seconds tick away.
A worrying sight but the striker jogs off his ankle niggle and will look to see out the game. Credit: Sky Sports
Robin van Paersie is played through on goal by Valencia and really should score. He strikes with the outside of his right boot — you’ll have to ask him why — and the ball skips wide of Westwood’s lefthand post.
Into injury time here and United are on the verge of their third league win of the season.
Gary Neville gives Januzaj the man-of-the-match award and there should be no complaints. Five minutes of injury time allotted. Two minutes left to play and Smalling concedes a corner. Here comes Westwood.
De Gea v Westwood at that corner and the Spaniard punches clear. Penalty appeals but it hits Rooney’s rear.
United, thanks to Januzaj, are now soaring in the top half of the table. When I type ‘soaring’ I mean ninth. Still, this could be the win that galvanises Moyes’ boys.
Has to be said that Fergi was some manager. Moyes to me isn’t doing any wrong it just seems fergie put that extra bite in their game when he was in charge
As a United fan, I am thoroughly looking forward to this relegation battle.
At least the Seanad referendum will take some of the heat off Moyes.
We are down 1-0 already ….. ffs starting to realise what it must be like being a liverpool fan
We’re on top, now I know what its like to be a manure fan!
You’ll need to win another two European cups before you understand what it’s like to be a Liverpool fan Jonny :)
Or go without winning the league in 23 years.
26..
And not just win more european cups, but dominate Europe…
@Graham 20, TWENTY. Can you count to twenty? Including 13 premier leagues. Pool have never won a premier league. What a joke of a club. I hope your season falls flat on its face. @Nelly U talk some amount of shite on the Journal.
Can you subtract? Here I’ll help you,
2013
-1990
=23
Idiots, how many years did man u go without winning? I know many since Liverpool won…
You’re an idiot
A bit slow Graham? 13 + 7 = 20. So I’m talking about Man United’s total history of titles. Maybe read my comment again and reply when you work it out. Anyway I understand that you are an extremely bitter Liverpool “fan” just like so many others out there.
Planet, my response was to Karol 23 years, 26 for united, without winning… Got that? And you said Liverpool never won premiership, my response was history only start with premiership? Understand. Karol the less said about you the better… Have nice day, we both won, no unbeaten teams left, looks like an open league this year…
Also, I am here when we lose, enjoying the banter, have not seen you guys for a few weeks…. karol you disappeared…. Why you ‘fans’ not here defending your team when you lose? My opinion on Moyes is nothing. Man U should have made Giggs manager….
I’m on every single football thread. Ask Nelly the elephant.
Sorry, fair play if ya are, but after the Pool, southampton game, you were kinda gone…. I called out for you in one of those man u games, v man city i thinks does I.
Jamie Redknapp’s voice is grating on my brain.
1 nil! Sunderland!
1-2 United!!
Oh I went out, well… Well done, as said last week, you hammered a managerless, bottom team…good result…
“We’re on top, now I know what its like to be a manure fan!”
Well we won numpty, so it must have felt bitter for you!
You dumbass. Boasting about being top. Just wait till your inevitable tumble starts.
Name calling from a dumb dumbass…. I am happy with our start but I know our goals…. If you cannot tell the difference with sarcasm, in response to the sarcastic comment made, you are what the first sentence is.
Read over the majority of your posts. It typifies exactly what you are. Thick as sh#t
Having fun dummy… Like the majority of you tossers who show up on ‘pool threads when we lose, having a lil laugh at your expense…. Jeez you people only come out when you win… Look at as many of my comments as you want, I am enjoying this…. Like many fans, its nice to watch you suffer, and now no fergie or refs to help you out, will be an eventful season…
Relegation 6 pointer, Utd to lose 9-1.
Moyes In
Yea, hes doing great so far, for 19 teams…
I think Gollum’s lost the dressing room already,Liverpool top of the league,it’s all good
The kid is class. Wish the rest of them would step up!
The kid’s a bit special.
As a united fan I think their going to get relegated
Some fan you are.
Like I said before popey most united supporters jumped on the band wagon when united started doing well and will just as easily see them jump to another team.no loyalty
Is that what you did nelly ..
Nope.its good to see united supporters about commenting after a game.usually they go into hiding after the final whistle.i suppose they won today thats probably why.
Phew,
You’re alright Nelly. Was worried there for a minute.
Im ok popey don’t be worrying.
Excellent
Wish this was in the pub… Would make for good slagging…
Kagawa left on the bench again? Moyes is clueless
Hold the phone, where’s Nelly?
Ok I’m getting worried now
Sunderland 3 man utd 1 (og) moyes is a great manager,sacked by Christmas.
Og off ref…
very happy with the defence and great to see rvp up front wit rooney and januzi and nani shud impress on the wings … utd to score 4
Januzaj in…..about time
What about January?
Getting me in the mood for Hobbit 2.
Nani instead of Kagawa ! Moyes is not helping himself doing things like that ! Kagawa is very clever player who needs a run of 10 games in a row & nani has no brain & has had vet 5 years to get his act together ! UTD’s midfield is getting worse ! Cleverley does nothing positive & is crap ! Carrick is always average/good ! Nani is a headless chicken(with a new 5 year deal) :( januzaj looks special ! And then u have vidic, Ferdinand & evra are all over the place ! Van persie is suffering cause of the way moyes sets up the team to defend too deep. Without Rooney utd would be in the bottom 3 ! The board needs to support moyes big time in January !
Every time the camera focuses on van Persie I have to look away from the scree as your guaranteed he is going to blow snots
Give gollum a contract extension!
United not great so far. But hey lads 10 points only 6 off the top and now international break. Longer united stay close be worried. Carrick is a good player. Stats say so and your eyes should also tell you that. Don’t think nani or Anderson are and not sure cleverly is ever going to be top drawer. Moyes need a year to be judged and i think the man is made of right stuff and the board need to back him to the hilt. Next summer. Top four by may.
#moyesin
Now moyes, lets see what your team is made of, ferguson’s team would battle from one nil down to win, what is your team made of…
2-1 great win for united, but without yer man(cant even pronounce his name) who had 2 special goals united are very average. Carrick and cleverley are way overated in my opinion. Will be interesting to see how much time moyes will get to improve this squad.
Come on Sunderland & MUNICH to beat Leverkusen at 5:30 also…..
Will Zaha score today?? Its terrible that his manager does not want to see him score…
Was at the leverkusen game last week, handy going forward but bayern might be too strong for them.
Shocking utd
Very scrappy still from utd,the likes of Stoke or Fulham would have easy beaten them today,terrible performance.
Get it together utd,Sunderland midfield will get tired.
United were rubbish. Should have been beaten
Dry those peeps
Moyes is clueless , Sunderland are running midfield and he still can’t see it, he needs to change it, and won’t or can’t – we are getting bullied around ye field
If we lose Moyes has to be looked at as a problem- this team won the league- blaming not knowing ur best team- is a poor excuse, failure in the transfer market is a poor excuse for this style of play
Players of this skill level don’t get bad overnight – so u can blame the way there made play
Lose and Moyes – it might be better to walk before ur career is over
Players of what skill level. Ye won a poor league last season. Cleverly nani. Great players. Get a grip of yourself. Fergie saw the light
I smell a scouse.
I smell manure…
That smell is the garbage that comes from your mouth you muppet. Can’t wait to watch your rubbish team start to crumble as per usual
Speaking of crumbling…
Irish people calling each other scouses and mancs… #tosssers
Do you just copy everything I’ve said about you? I’m not surprised though.
I cannot answer that I guess, will be accused of copying :)
Where’s my Wilson question? It was valid… When I get nervous I p from….
Good performance.