Old Trafford was once again the scene for one Manchester United’s famous late late shows as a stoppage time Nemanja Vidic goal secured three invaluable points against a Sunderland side who, following the shock resignation of Manager Roy Keane earlier in the week, unashamedly set their stall out to secure a goalless draw.
With their main rivals Liverpool and Chelsea having both won earlier in the day, United looked set to fall further behind in the Premiership title race, until a Michael Carrick long range effort rebounded of the post allowing Serbian defender Vidic an easy task to shoot home into the empty net.
The goal, while undoubtedly fortunate, was no more than the home side deserved for their efforts to break down a stubborn and disciplined Sunderland side,
Ronaldo, Berbatov and Vidic had all earlier passed up excellent opportunities to break the deadlock in a match where United keeper Edwin Van Der Saar was a virtual spectator for the ninety minutes.
Sunderland caretaker manager Ricky Sbragia, United’s former reserve team coach, while being disappointed with the loss of such a late goal, will have been delighted with the Sunderland performance following a turbulent week for the Wearside club.
The game was barely a few minutes in before the home crowd started their chants in support of their former captain Roy Keane, who will always be revered at Old Trafford.
Despite his four goal Carling Cup haul against Blackburn on Wednesday, Carlos Tevez once again found himself on the bench for a league game, as Sir Alex Ferguson continues to favor the front pairing of Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, their £30m summer purchase from Tottenham Hotspur.
From the outset it was evident that Sunderland's 4-5-1 formation, with the midfield five playing just in front of the back four, was going to prove difficult for United to break through.
United's best chance in the opening half came after fifteen minutes, when a disguised Ronaldo free kick gave Rooney a sight of goal from twenty yards and his low shot was redirected goalwards by Berbatov only to be well saved by Sunderland keeper Martin Fulop, who started in place of the injured £9m Craig Gordon.
Early in the second half some excellent set up play by Berbatov gave Ronaldo an excellent chance from ten yards but he shot over and limped off a few minutes later after picking up a knock in the same incident.
Berbatov and Vidic both passed up excellent opportunities to break the deadlock with free headers from close range as the tension built up around Old Trafford.
As the game moved into three minutes of added time, United looked set to fall further behind Liverpool and Chelsea in the title race, until a thirty yard effort from Michael Carrick, took a wicked deflection of Carlos Edwards to leave keeper Fulop stranded, and give Serbian defender Vidic the easiest of tasks to score and set the home support into raptures.
Angus MacKay - Born and brought up on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. Educated at Glasgow University (BSc Science) and Aberdeen University (PGCE ...
