Benjamin Sesko opens Old Trafford account as Manchester United ease past Sunderland | OneFootball

Manchester United won at home for the third consecutive game courtesy of a 2-0 victory over newly promoted Sunderland on Saturday.

Mason Mount, a surprise inclusion in the team at the expense of Matheus Cunha, repaid his manager’s faith early on with a lovely side-foot finish from inside the box.

Most of United’s attacking threat came down the right flank, and Amad Diallo was denied a lovely strike against his former side by Robin Roefs after he went on a jinking run.

Roefs was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers and produced arguably his best save of the match in the 25th minute to palm Bruno Fernandes’ effort onto the bar. Diallo headed the rebound wide.

The hosts’ dominance undeniably deserved a second goal, which arrived just past the half-hour mark from last week’s scorer, Benjamin Sesko.

Diogo Dalot’s long throw was poorly defended, allowing Sesko to score his first goal at Old Trafford from close range.

Sunderland made a tactical change five minutes after going two down, with Daniel Ballard coming on for Simon Adingra.

A goal just before half-time would have been ideal for the visitors, who nearly pulled one back in the final knockings of the first half.

Granit Xhaka’s long-range effort produced a fine save from Senne Lammens on his United debut.

Sunderland ended the half on top and were awarded a penalty for Sesko’s foul on Trai Hume, although Stuart Attwell reversed his original decision after some help from the VAR.

With the last kick of the opening 45 minutes, Ballard sent a header flying over the bar, bringing an end to a dominant first half for United.

The second period began in a relatively subdued manner, despite Sunderland’s increased intensity in search of a goal that would put them back in the contest.

Mbeumo and Casemiro posed little threat to Roefs’ goal with their respective attempts, while Lammens remained untroubled at the other end.

Brought on to replace Mount for the final 25 minutes, Cunha drew a decent stop from the Sunderland goalkeeper.

Moments later, Chemsdine Talbi squandered a chance to grab a goal after Eliezer Mayenda played him in in the final minute of regulation time.

The away side were unable to muster any attacking threat in stoppage time as United secured a much-needed win to relieve some of the pressure on manager Ruben Amorim.