Manchester United go top of the Barclays Premier League for the first time since the Sir Alex days with win against bottom team Sunderland. A game where Martial shone again and two United player got their first in the league. With defensive injuries to Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw and Paddy McNair, changes were made with Matteo Darmian moving to left back; a position he’s played before. Taking his place at right back was Antonio Valencia and meaning no changes to the Smalling-Blind partnership. An interesting decision was made to include two defensive midfielder Schneiderlin and Carrick against the league worst team when but Herrera did play 90minutes midweek, same for Schweinsteiger and both need a rest before midweek game. We continued with the same attacking four with Martial leading the line with Rooney in-behind. After Pereira’s man of the match performance midweek he featured on the bench.



With Sunderland’s poor form they were always going to play for a point. Their quality was clear to see by the amount of space given to United to build and find passes. Our first opportunity came when Valencia was found in space on the edge of the box but he took to long and ground cross was poor.

We were playing some good football, Darmian had a great run in the first five minute sending in a good cross in but couldn’t find Martial.

Martial was showing great hold up play early on and won a free kick on the edge of the box with Mata’s shot hit the first man.

Sunderland had an effort on goal with O’shea heading towards the far post with David de Gea claiming it.

Our build up play was getting us into some good position, Mata received the ball in space on the edge of the box but his shot was deflected for corner.



Sunderland were starting to get some possession after 20 minutes and forced David de Gea into a save. Memphis came close when he had a shot tipped over the bar on a counter attack.

United were showing a lot of dominance, passing with purpose and winning the ball high up the pitch. We were getting in some good positions but the killer pass or final ball were missing in the first half and did not test Pantilimon. Sunderland did try to protect their only goal to try and get something from the game.

We finally went ahead in the last play before halftime, Daley Blind, like in midweek expressed his range of passing to find Juan Mata in the box, who laid it off to Memphis to run in and score for his first Premier League goal. Hopefully a confidence booster for Memphis who did improve in this game.



A minute into the second half, United got their second when martial received the ball in the box, he held it up well to move into a crossing position. His cross was knocked in by Wayne Rooney’s knee to end his 11 game goal drought.

Man united went into a more possession game, to work Sunderland down.

The goal did allow sunderland more possession too with David De Gea making good saves from Jeremain Lens and Patrick van Aanholt. Saves that would confirm a clean for David and United conceding just once in the league at home this season. Smalling stopped fletcher getting to a good cross from Lens with some good defending.

Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney were getting more of the ball and influencing the game. Rooney’s goal help him and he was pinging ball with confidence. The last Sunderland chance from van Aanholt woke United up and started to create some good opportunities. Martial held the ball up well to put Memphis through on goal but Shot straight at the keeper. Louis van Gaal decided to help in the control of the game by bringing Schweinsteiger on for Carrick. After Daley Blind was involved in head collision he was brought off for Phil Jones but he was fine.



Memphis got himself into a good position to cross with options in the box but shot on goal and then took off for Ashley Young.

Juan Mata had a good shot on goal when he cut in side from the right but low shot into the bottom corner was saved well by Pantilimon. With United possession game wearing Sunderland down, we had another good chance when a Young cross to martial was hell up the ball brilliantly to lay it off to Schneiderlin to shoot on goal but chose to pass to Rooney.

United’s third goal came in the first minute of injury time when Ashley Young went 1on1 with Jones to put a cross in the box where Juan Mata was in space. Mata had time to take a touch before putting it in the back of the net.

United did what needed to be done to take them top of the league, after a lacklustre first half we got the goals we needed in an overall dominant performance.

The MOTM went to Anthony Martial, he didn’t score today but his performance was excellent and his best so far for his overall performance. He has pace and movement to trouble defences, his strength to hold the ball is deadly when mixed with his skill. What he offers United as an attacking focal point is invaluable.

Many player had good games or improved performances, Juan Mata had a lot of joy throughout the game with one goal and one assist. Involved in many chance in the game. Another player who had a solid game was Darmian who was moved to left back . He made runs and link up well with Memphis.



Rooney looked improved, running at defenders and working well with Martial. The goal definitely helped settle him down. Memphis was another player who improved, he ran at defenders more and again the goal will give him confidence now he’s got his first. The defence and keeper were not troubled much but what they did have to deal with was done well, David de Gea made some great saves for his clean sheet and Blinds pass was excellent. Valencia also had a lot of joy down the right wing but his cross was poor as usual. The midfield was good with Carrick playing some great balls in the first half and Schneiderlin having a solid game helping out in attack.

We now move on to getting back to winning ways In the Champions league when Wolfsburg come to old Trafford in the Champions league.

Top of the league !! 😄