REPORT: Sunderland 2 United 1

It seems incredible that, until recently, United personnel were still talking up their chances of winning the league.  As it stands, it's hard to see the Reds even being in the Champions League places and this game spelt out many of the reasons why.  They were listless and unconvincing throughout, failing to create more than a handful of chances against the team with the worst defensive record in the league.  At the other end, United labour to plug gaps in a defence that, partly through injuries, looks nothing like as tight as it did in the autumn.

We started in the worst possible way, going behind in the third minute when Khazri's low free kick made its way through the crowded area to sneak in at De Gea's far post.  Defoe almost made it two when he managed to skew the ball wide off his knee under close attention from Smalling.

The lead allowed Sunderland to defend in numbers and United toiled to create an opening, with the home side looking threatening on the break.  Indeed, it wasn't until after the half hour mark that the Reds got a shot on goal.  On that occasion Mata hit his shot straight at the keeper but he made a more significant contribution a few minutes later when he again tested Mannone, who this time could only palm the ball out for Martial to score from a tight angle.

By that point United's defensive injury crisis had struck again.  Darmian was forced off after a strong challenge from Khazri and, with Varela having picked up an injury for the Under 21s this week, Donald Love entered the game for his senior debut.

United continued to play erratically after the break and, not for the first time, they were grateful to De Gea for saving with an outstretched leg to deny N'Doye on the hour mark.  The keeper also had to be on his toes to tip over a Kone effort later in the half.  

However, when Kone rose in the box with eight minutes left, De Gea was only able to help the ball into the goal as it squirmed under his body.   It was, sad to say, a deserved winner for the better team on the day and yet another reason for United to take a cold, hard look at themselves as the season enters its closing stages.