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Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland: Mount and Sesko Goals Ease Pressure on Amorim at Old Trafford By A. I. Correspondent, Old Trafford Manchester United secured a crucial 2-0 Premier League victory over newly-promoted Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday, with first-half goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko providing vital relief for head coach Ruben Amorim. The win delivered United's first clean sheet of the season and marked a return to winning ways at home, ending a period of intense scrutiny surrounding the team’s inconsistent start to the domestic campaign. While the result lifted the Red Devils into the top half of the table, the display was noted more for its efficiency in securing three points than for spectacular dominance, especially against a Sunderland side that has impressed in its return to the top flight. The match, played under typically autumnal Manchester skies, started with a sense of tension palpable among the home support, but it took just eight minutes for United to find the breakthrough. Midfielder Mason Mount, making a strong case for a regular starting berth, finished a flowing move that reportedly involved 18 passes—the joint-most for a Premier League goal this season. Bryan Mbeumo delivered a precise chipped ball from the right flank, which Mount controlled adeptly inside the box before slotting a neat, low shot past Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs, registering his first league goal at Old Trafford. United doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark, capitalising on a moment of defensive uncertainty from the visitors.
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Diogo Dalot’s long throw-in into the penalty area caused confusion, with the ball flicked on before falling directly to Benjamin Sesko. The young striker reacted quickly, tucking the opportunity home from close range for his second goal in as many games, establishing a 2-0 cushion that reflected United's clinical opening period. For Sesko, the goal marked his first senior strike in front of the home supporters, a moment he later described as a childhood dream realised. Sunderland, managed by Régis Le Bris, struggled initially to cope with United’s intensity, particularly down the right side where Amad Diallo and Mbeumo combined effectively. The visitors’ goalkeeper, Robin Roefs, was instrumental in preventing a wider deficit, producing several key saves, including a remarkable fingertip stop to deny Bruno Fernandes’ curling effort destined for the top corner. The match briefly threatened to turn on the stroke of half-time when referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot, awarding Sunderland a penalty after Sesko’s high foot connected with Trai Hume. However, following a thorough VAR review and a check at the pitchside monitor, the decision was overturned, upholding the two-goal lead for the hosts. Sunderland responded by introducing centre-back Dan Ballard for winger Simon Adingra in a tactical switch to a three-man backline, signalling Le Bris's attempt to halt United's momentum, though the damage had already been inflicted. In the second half, the game adopted a more controlled tempo, with United prioritising resilience and possession management.
Debutant goalkeeper Senne Lammens, replacing Altay Bayindir, had a largely quiet evening but showed composure when called upon, particularly late in the game to preserve the clean sheet, a significant achievement for a team that has struggled defensively this season. Speaking after the match, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim offered a sober assessment of the performance, acknowledging the importance of the result without claiming perfection. "It's so much better to win games," Amorim told reporters. "We were a team that were an adult team. We didn't play well all the game, but we had our moments and we defended well. It was a good day, not a perfect day, but to win like this with a clean sheet is important for our team. " The victory provided a visible lift in morale, underscored by comments from Mason Mount, who insisted the squad remained fully behind the Portuguese coach amid external pressure. Mount told BBC Sport: "We're 100% behind the gaffer. That was important today.
It starts today and we'll be working hard over the break. " Amorim himself addressed the question of player support, stating: "I saw it today. And I know they want to do the best and I know they don't want to change the coach all the time. " For Sunderland, the defeat, which saw them fail to score for the third time this season, served as what many analysts are calling a "reality check" following their strong start to life back in the Premier League. Black Cats boss Régis Le Bris remained philosophical about the result, choosing to view it as a learning opportunity rather than a defining moment of their season. "The main takeaway from this game doesn't define our start to the season," Le Bris insisted. "It is a strong reminder, and this is a good lesson for us today. " The result sees Manchester United move up to ninth place in the Premier League table on 10 points, just one point behind Sunderland, who remain in a respectable sixth position. Both teams now enter the international break, after which United face a stern test against Liverpool at Anfield, a fixture that Amorim knows will be crucial for building the desired consistency that has so far eluded his team.
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