Man United v Sunderland live: Sesko strikes and handed VAR reprieve as Premier League win lifts Amorim pressure | OneFootball

Benjamin Sesko scored his first Old Trafford goal to double Manchester United’s lead (Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Manchester United defeated Sunderland in the Premier League to ease the pressure on Ruben Amorim as striker Benjamin Sesko scored for the second game in a row and survived giving away a penalty at the other end.

Defeat at Brentford last weekend had increased the spotlight on the United head coach before facing the newly promoted visitors, as rumours swirled around Amorim’s future and the Portuguese gave an impassioned defence of his position on Friday.

But two early goals at Old Trafford was just what Amorim needed as Mason Mount and new arrival Sesko put the hosts in a dominant position. Mount was left with time and space to fire in from 16 yards after just nine minutes, before Sesko doubled United’s lead from close-range.

Sesko was handed a reprieve just before half time after Stuart Atwell overturned his decision to award Sunderland a penalty. Sesko was initially ruled to have caught Trai Hume with a high boot, but VAR ruled he did make contact with his head.

United survived another small scare - as debutant goalkeeper Senne Lammens, starting ahead of Altay Bayindir, escaped punishment for bringing down Betrand Troare outside of the box - but the win came as sweet relief for Amorim.