Advertisement

Manchester United 3-0 Sunderland: Red Devils go top of the table

NBC Sports

Manchester United beat Sunderland 3-0 at Old Trafford on Saturday as Louis Van Gaal‘s side went top of the Premier League.

Memphis scored right on half time to put United ahead, then Wayne Rooney (his first goal in 11 PL games) made it 2-0 and Juan Mata polished things off to down a sorry Sunderland outfit.

With the victory United are in first place with 16 points, while Sunderland remain bottom with just two points from their opening seven matches.

[ RELATED: Watch full match replays ]

United looked dangerous in and around the box and caused plenty of problems for Sunderland in the early stages. Black Cats goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon gave away a free kick after handling right on the edge of his box following a defensive mix-up with his own defenders. Juan Mata didn’t make the most of that free kick and as the first half wore on Sunderland continued to look dangerous on the break. Jeremain Lens forced David De Gea into a good stop down low with his legs after 24 minutes and that helped Advocaat’s side settle down.

[ RELATED: Latest Premier League standings ]

There was an injury scare to Anthony Martial after he looked to have twisted his knee but the in-form French striker recovered and in first half stoppage time United were ahead. Daley Blind pinged a beautiful ball into Mata at the back post and he teed up Memphis to tap home from two yards out. 1-0 to the Red Devils right on half time.

[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]

Within a minute of the second half United were 2-0 up as Martial drove past Younes Kaboul in the box and played the ball to Rooney at the near post him as he bundled it past Pantilimon. 2-0 to United.

[ MORE: Click here for full lineups, stats, box score ]

Later in the second half De Gea made a good stop from Patrick Van Aanholt and Memphis missed a good chance after more fine set up play from Martial. Mata went close to trebling United’s lead but Pantilimon saved well, however the Spaniard did grab a goal in stoppage time to make it 3-0 with a cool finish as United went top of the table in style.