Sunderland 0-0 Man Utd: Hosts held at bay despite dominant display

Sunderland turned in a sparkling display at a gloomy Stadium of Light but were forced to settle for a point against Manchester United after a 0-0 draw. 

Match Report 

With their primary objective of Champions League qualification complete, United knew a win would be enough to all but secure a third-place finish, but Michael Carrick's side produced a flat performance. 

Noah Sadiki and Brian Brobbey went close as Sunderland started brightly, with both producing sharp efforts on target that forced Senne Lammens into action across the first half. 

United improved after the break, but the visitors were not able to translate that into much in the final third as the Black Cats nearly took the lead when Lutsharel Geertruida saw a long-range strike rattle the base of the post. 

Brobbey had earlier produced a fine shot under pressure that Lammens parried as Sunderland pressed for the opener, and the striker then saw a penalty appeal waved away after a tussle with Luke Shaw.

Led by Bruno Fernandes, United surged forward in stoppage time, in which Matheus Cunha squandered two decent chances, the latter of which was a tame effort struck straight at Robin Roefs. 

Data Debrief: United's hot streak ends on wet Wearside

Prior to Saturday's match, United had found the net in each of their last 23 Premier League games, dating back to a 1-0 home loss to Everton in November.  

But that hot streak came to an end as Carrick's side failed to impress in the final third on this occasion, producing just 0.66 expected goals (xG) from only one shot on target – Cunha's attempt late on. 

Sunderland, meanwhile, produced 1.17 xG and will feel unfortunate not to have claimed all three points. 

Brobbey was a particular threat, getting two of his three attempts on target and winning all four of his aerial duels.

Still, the draw extended an encouraging campaign for the Black Cats, who have now collected 48 Premier League points this season (W12 D12 L12) – their best return in the competition since 2000-01 (57).

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

5' Talbi combines, then curls effort just wide

6' Sunderland slick move, Sediri through on goal, saved by Ramus

10' Bruno Fernandes takes short free-kick, Amad curls first-time effort wide

18' No penalty for Sunderland after VAR checking

24' Big save from Lammens

28' Zirkzee with a very important header there!

33' Sunderland are relentless in attack

36' Amad Diallo misplaces a pass

45' Highlight from Sunderland vs Man Utd

45' Mainoo miscues his shot

52' Great chance for United but Amad cannot find Cunha with a square pass

54' Yellow Card! Mount booked

63' Massive save from Lammens again!

64' Highlight from Sunderland vs Man Utd

71' Sunderland hit the post

77' Luke Shaw is tripped by Xhaka

80' Sunderland goalkeeper nearly gifts a goal with a mistake

83' Match Event for Sunderland vs Man Utd

89' Nilson Angulo avoids a red card despite his clear elbow on Bruno Fernandes

93' Highlight from Sunderland vs Man Utd

Line-ups

Sunderland XI: Xhaka, Omar Alderete, Mandava, Mukiele, Lutsharel Geertruida, Enzo Le Fée, Brian Brobbey, Trai Hume, Robin Roefs, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi

Subs: Luke O'Nien, Wilson Isidor, Cirkin, Melker Ellborg, Habib Diarra, Eliezer Mayenda, Nilson Angulo, Chris Rigg, Jocelin Ta Bi

Man Utd XI: Maguire, Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Mount, Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, Matheus Cunha, Zirkzee, Senne Lammens, Amad Diallo Traore, Mainoo

Subs: Altay Bayındır, Dalot, Malacia, Bryan Mbeumo, Yoro, Patrick Dorgu, Jack Fletcher, Ayden Heaven, Tyler Fletcher