Sunderland 1 v 3 Manchester United
Stadium of Light, Sunderland
15th October 2005
Manchester United needed victory to keep at the heels of Chelsea, and were looking more than a little troubled throughout the first-half, with Sunderland fighting and scrapping for every ball, and the Reds struggling to find their feet or shake off their international-week malaise.
The internationals had seen even stand-in Left-back Kieran Richardson injured, leaving Fergie with no recognised left-back! O'Shea did an admirable job in that position, whilst Bardsley helped to shore up the defensive worries with an impressively mature display at right-back in just his fourth full-team game!
Fletcher was also rested because of the efforts he had put in over the last few days, with Giggs similarly left out after two games in four-days - too much for the ageing legs of the Welshman.
The first forty minutes saw a less than fluent United side, seemingly unable to pass the ball between themselves even, and it was only after Sunderland had ventured forwards for the umpteenth time in the match that United were able to create their first chance.
Van Nistelrooy released Park Ji Sung, who ran energetically with the ball and crossed in to Rooney. The predigious English talent was able to take the ball in his stride around 'keeper Davis, and slide the ball into the back of the net from a tight angle, despite the Sunderland defender's best clearance efforts.
Sunderland were perhaps a touch unlucky, but made more than enough chances to equalise following a teamtalk from McCarthy, who was ridiculed by the United fans, who Chanted "Keano" at him (he was the pathetic Ireland Manager at World Cup 2002).
It fell to Ruud van Nistelrooy to finish the game, and he did so with strength and power. Having been set free by Rooney, whose vision was such that he didn't even look up before playing the inch-perfect ball, Ruud blistered past the Sunderland defence, and shot across Davis to double the lead. He would have extended the lead earlier had Davis not knocked Cristiano's cross when it was just milimetre's from his head.
Sunderland rallied,and grabbed a lucky goal, before our new wonder-kid officially arrived. Giuseppe Rossi (two years younger than Rooney at 18) struck from the edge of the box, and despite the heavy deflection, willbe happy to have claimed his first goal for the club in his league debut!
United now face Lille at home, hoping for the win that will leave them needing just 3 more points from their last 3 games.
