Manchester United were unable to build on the momentum of last weekend’s victory over Liverpool as they were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
After sealing Champions League qualification with a big win at Old Trafford, this was a far less convincing display from Michael Carrick’s side. United lacked sharpness for long periods and were fortunate not to fall behind during a first half in which Sunderland created the better openings.
Carrick made five changes from the side that beat Liverpool and the disruption showed. United struggled to establish control in midfield and rarely threatened in attack, with Joshua Zirkzee, given a rare start here, enduring a difficult outing before being withdrawn after 65 minutes.
Sunderland started aggressively and nearly took the lead inside five minutes when Chemsdine Talbi combined neatly with a teammate before curling narrowly wide from distance. Moments later, Noah Sadiki forced Senne Lammens into a low save after another slick attacking move cut through the United defence.
The visitors were repeatedly exposed in transition and Brian Brobbey caused persistent problems. The striker raced through on goal in the 11th minute only for Lammens to react quickly off his line to deny him. Sunderland continued to push and felt they should have had a penalty when Enzo Le Fee’s effort appeared to strike the arms of Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo inside the area, but their appeals were waved away.
Brobbey remained Sunderland’s biggest threat. The forward was denied again by Lammens before dragging another effort across the face of goal as United struggled to cope with the hosts’ intensity.
Bruno Fernandes fired wide from the edge of the area and Zirkzee headed over from Matheus Cunha’s cross, but the visitors offered little during a flat first half, ending without a hot on target.
Sunderland continued to carry the greater threat after the break. Lammens produced another strong save to keep out Brobbey before Lutsharel Geertruida came closest to breaking the deadlock when he struck the post after being picked out inside the area.
Le Fee also tested United late on with an ambitious strike from range, while Noussair Mazraoui had to make an important defensive intervention as Sunderland pressed for a winner.
United improved slightly in the closing stages and almost escaped with all three points. Fernandes saw a low effort deflected behind before Cunha forced Robin Roefs into a strong save from close range although he really should have scored.
There was still time for Bryan Mbeumo to have a late attempt blocked deep into stoppage time, but Sunderland held firm to secure a deserved point.
