Steve Bruce must wonder what he has to do to beat Manchester United. His Sunderland side fought hard and dominated play on Saturday but the former United captain left the Stadium of Light having failed to beat his former employers for the 16th time as a manager. It’s unlikely Bruce will ever come as close.
Sunderland were up for this one. They challenged every loose ball and 50-50 with a pugnacious tenacity typified none-more so than by the magnificent Lee Cattermole. They created five goal scoring opportunities and had United on the ropes until Chris Foy’s whistle eliminated the chance of what would have been a knockout blow.
United put simply, were not at the races. They weren’t even in the paddock. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic looked uncomfortable throughout and had to rely on goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar to prevent the defenders’ blushes. Of all of the Black Cats’ chances, and the one Bruce would have rather fallen to Darren Bent and not Steed Malbranque saw the French midfielder squander a one-on-one with Van Der Sar. Malbranque out-ran Vidic and Ferdinand and onto a Cattermole pass but his shot was saved by the diving United keeper. Moments later Bouedewjin Zenden hit the outside of the post with a drive from outside of the box. United were rattled, Sunderland’s fans were raucous.
Going forward United were at their worst. So often a potent counter attacking side, it wasn’t until the second half that Ferguson’s side even had a shot on target. Michael Owen was given a rare start ahead of Dimitar Berbatov, partnering Frederico Macheda at the forefront of attack. Forty five minutes later Owen was withdrawn. His role for United will now surely be as a substitute and in cup matches against lesser teams before he heads down the M5 towards Birmingham and Gerard Houllier’s first team.
United’s midfield again seemed to be the weak link. Fletcher and, especially, Scholes were not given the commodities of time and space they have taken for granted in previous home matches and were stifled by the busy Cattermole.
Anderson was used on the left side of midfield and almost immediately provided another stymie for United’s midfield and John O’Shea. The Brazilian’s positional discipline was at best poor and worst potentially devastating, especially when leaving a vacuum behind him and exposing O’Shea to attacks. Saturday showed how Antonio Valencia’s injury has hampered United defensively as well as offensively.
In the second half United gained more possession but were foiled whenever they neared a position of any danger. Nani shot from far without threatening Mignolet in the Sunderland goal and Berbatov dragged a shot wide when he should have hit the target.
This was three points lost by Sunderland who have taken points from Arsenal, Liverpool and all three off of Manchester City. For United however it was a point that was barely deserved and clung onto.
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