Sunderland FC vs Manchester United- My reaction!!!!

It was an all entertaining match between the Black Cats and the Red Devils. 

Some mad football fans like me would have placed bet on Manchester United winning this match but the reverse was the case as the home side put dent on United’s Champions League qualification hopes after leaving them 6 points behind the fourth place noisy neighbours, Manchester City. 

Just within 3 minutes of the game, Manchester United conceded free kick which was not defended by the red devils and the result was a goal by Wahbi Khazri when his free kick went through United’s crowded area and straight into the net. 

The red devils replied on the 39^th minute when Martial poached on the rebound of Juan Mata’s shot which was saved by Sunderland’s goalkeeper Vito Mannone and the game was even on 1-1 heading to the half time. 
                 

The game looked like it was headed for a draw but again due to lackadaisical defending, Kone from a set piece nodded the ball on target which was not cleared by United defenders resulting to an own goal by David De Gea making it 2-1. 

Sunderland have never beaten United at the Stadium of light in the top flight but this loss might prove too costly for Louis Van Gaal men who dropped 2 points at Stamford Bridge last week Sunday.

With Jose Mourinho being speculated as the next Manchester United manager, this could be having adverse effect on the players and the manager. One could see what happened after Pep Guardiola announced he is joining Manchester City and the result was 1-3 demolition by Leicester City. 

As a fan of football, one cannot overemphasise the importance of lessons learnt from every match be it a winning lesson or a lesson learnt from defeat.

Today, Memphis Depay showed he is still not ready to be the game changer. I remember when he was signed, the £25m man was touted as the next Hazard. Even Squawka asked if United have found their own Eden Hazard in Depay.

The Dutch superstar, who was enquired about by the Red Devils was earning all the attention in 2014-2015 season for his eye-catching displays for PSV in the Eredivisie. 

Furthermore, in scenes reminiscent to that of Hazard in his final season at Lille in 2012, with a move to England on the cards, everyone thought Manchester United be getting a very similar player, but perhaps even better than the Belgian was at 21?

Depay plays an almost identical role to that of Hazard and reaped the dividends; in his final season in Holland when he averaged a figure of 44.70 per 90 minutes.

The PSV starlet created 54 chances in Dutch League in 2014/2015 season and while that is more than any player in United’s squad, Hazard was on another planet in that aspect, averaging 2.76 per 90 minutes to the Dutchman’s 2.11 as Per Squawka. But today, the Dutch man is drifting away as he could no longer nail a spot in the first X1. Lack of confidence?

Van Gaal’s job is being made tough by the mooted arrival of Jose Mourinho. This can unseat any manager when he knows his job is at stake and always scrutinised at every draw or loss. His job is even being made tougher by injuries sustained by majority of the first team players with Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, Bastian Schwenstiger, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw, Phil Jones and Matteo Darmian all injured.

He is only left with inexperienced players on the bench. Premier league is so demanding and immediate success is needed that is why, manager like Jose Mourinho hardly place faith on youngsters as his job will be on the line if immediate success is not achieved.

United need to re-enforce and re-energise their squad. Top defender is needed to complement Mike otherwise known as Chris Smalling. With Carrick getting old, United should be looking for a top level Defensive Midfielder. 

Also, striking options should be a position to be looked into with Martial who is always being played out of position to accommodate Rooney. Will it be better to play Martial as a Striker and move Rooney to the midfield where he has done well in the past? Only Van Gaal can decide.

Sunderland FC players today showed hunger and desire to win the game as they had total of 16 shots when compared to Man United 10 shots. Could they beat the relegation battle with 12 games to go? Only time shall tell……..