Manchester United ease past Sunderland

Whenever Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie started a match together for Manchester United they grabbed all three points and the trend remained the same yesterday at Old Trafford.

It was goals from Van Persie, Tom Cleverley and Wayne Rooney that helped United to a 3-1 win against Sunderland for whom the former red devils striker Frazier Campbell scored the lone consolation goal. There were more reasons to smile for Sir Alex Ferguson as Nemanja Vidic made his comeback from knee injury.

The home side fresh from the derby win against Manchester City dominated the proceedings and were up by two goals within the first twenty minutes. It was Ashley Young who assisted for first goal as he dribbled past Sebastian Larsson and did send in a cross which John O’shea failed to clear properly. The ball met with the Dutch striker inside the box where he rarely misses and slotted in the opener.

It was some wonderful work from central midfielders Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley that led to the second goal. Cleverley from the left found Carrick outside the box and the former Tottenham player send in a through ball which found Cleverley who beautifully placed it to the right side of the net.

Manchester United made the game out of Sunderland’s reach after the hour mark when Wayne Rooney easily tapped in a Robin Van Persie’s pass. But the visitors scared the league leaders when they pulled one back through Frazier Campbell after United’s defence slept for a moment.  The attacking midfielder Stéphane Sessegnon’s cross headed in by an unmarked Campbell.

Manchester United still remains top of the table with a six points lead over Manchester City while Sunderland with the defeat stays 16th in the table.

P S Parameswaran