Manchester United breathed a collective sigh of relief on Saturday evening as they beat Sunderland 2–0 at Old Trafford, easing some of the mounting pressure on head coach Ruben Amorim and offering evidence that the club might slowly be finding its footing this season.
The two goals came in the first half—Mason Mount with a composed finish in the eighth minute and Benjamin Sesko with a sharp close-range putaway in the 31st minute.
From there United saw out the game with discipline, defended well, and weathered a sustained push from the visitors without allowing a serious chance. The result delivered a clean sheet for debutant goalkeeper Senne Lammens and restored at least a modicum of confidence among supporters questioning the direction of the team.
The match started with a sombre moment: a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of Thursday’s synagogue attack in Manchester, reminding all in attendance that even sport cannot fully escape the shadows of the world beyond the pitch. Once the whistle blew, United took control quickly. Sunderland had begun with intent, but by the eighth minute the hosts struck.
Bryan Mbeumo produced a precise cross from the right flank, and Mount, alert in the box, took a deft touch before guiding a low finish past the outstretched arms of Robin Roefs. That score settled the nerves of the home fans and forced Sunderland to rethink their own approach.
From that point, United largely dictated the flow. The Black Cats keeper Roefs displayed sharp reflexes to keep out curling efforts from Amad Diallo and Mbeumo, and later produced a spectacular fingertip save to tip a Bruno Fernandes shot onto the bar. But his resistance eventually caved in after a moment of chaos in the Sunderland box.
Diogo Dalot swung in a long throw, Nordi Mukiele flicked it on, and Sesko reacted fastest to finish from close range—his second goal in as many games. With that, a more comfortable cushion was established.
Sunderland thought they might spark a comeback before the interval when referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot, adjudging that Sesko had fouled Trai Hume with a raised foot. But after a VAR review, Attwell was sent to the pitchside monitor and reversed his decision, ruling that there had been no contact.
The original call was rescinded, leaving the visitors frustrated and United breathing easier. Just before halftime, Sunderland came closest from the ensuing corner when Dan Ballard rose but headed narrowly wide.
The second half was, for large stretches, a procedural exercise for United. Sunderland threw bodies forward and rattled attacks, especially after bringing on attacking options, but the visitors never fashioned a clear goalscoring chance until late.
Chemsdine Talbi had a shot blocked by Lammens, whose composed presence in goal prevented any last-gasp heroics from Sunderland. When the final whistle blew, the relief was palpable: three points, a clean sheet, and some breathing room for a United side that has shown fragile form at times this season.
Lammens, the Belgian goalkeeper signed from Royal Antwerp in the summer, played the kind of assured debut that many feared would be too much pressure. He showed composure with the ball at his feet, made confident high claims, and even when tested late on remained solid.
His performance was a statement, and by keeping out Talbi’s late strike he preserved United’s first clean sheet of the campaign. In front of him, the defense generally held firm, absorbing pressure and restricting Sunderland’s chances. It was perhaps not perfect, but it was effective enough.
The midfield and forward units played to their strengths. Mount, arguably one of United’s most constant presences, exhibited intelligence and work rate. He sometimes drifted into deeper zones to link play or relieve defensive pressure, and always remained a threat going forward.
For United, this result lifts them to eighth place with 10 points, putting them just a spot behind Sunderland in the early table. The next challenge looms large: Liverpool await after the international break, and United must show that this performance was not a one-off but the start of a more consistent upward trajectory.
For Sunderland, this defeat is a reality check. Their early-season momentum may stall if they cannot respond.