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Manchester United logo
Premier League
Sep 26, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
Sunderland

3-0

Depay (45'), Rooney (46'), Mata (90')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Player Ratings: Manchester United 3-0 Sunderland

Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Sunderland.

Manchester United have moved to the top of the Premier League table with a 3-0 victory over Sunderland.

Memphis Depay tapped home from close range to give United the lead on the stroke of half time, before Wayne Rooney doubled their advantage 38 seconds into the second half.

Juan Mata added a third late on as United capitalised on Manchester City's 4-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the day.

Below, Sports Mole rates everyone involved in what turned out to be a comfortable afternoon for the home side.



MANCHESTER UNITED

Memphis Depay (R) of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's first goal with his team mate Juan Mata (L) and Wayne Rooney (C) during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on September 26, 2015 i© Getty Images

Goal

David de Gea: (7/10) Continues to show how important it was that United kept hold of him in the summer. Three solid saves ensured that United were never in danger in the second half.

Defence

Antonio Valencia: (7/10) Brought into the team due to the injury to Luke Shaw. Looks susceptible in defence at times, but gives United more pace down the right flank.

Chris Smalling: (7/10) Was made to work by Borini all afternoon, but largely got the better of the Italian in the air and on the ground.

Danny Blind: (6/10) Not as impressive as in recent weeks but looked comfortable alongside Smalling. Had to be replaced in the second half after a clash of heads.

Matteo Darmian: (7/10) The loss of Shaw has seen Darmian move to left-back, but the Italian fitted in seamlessly. Continues to impress for his new side.

Midfield

Michael Carrick: (6/10) Never had to move out of second gear all afternoon. Did everything that was expected of him, which was to get the ball to United's front four.

Morgan Schneiderlin: (6/10) Supported Carrick well in the middle of the park without providing any cutting edge further forward. Looks to have settled at Old Trafford after his move from Southampton.

Wayne Rooney: (6/10) Netted for the first time in 11 Premier League games, but this was not one of his better displays. Looks better behind Martial, but he is not having the impact that he would like.

Attack

Juan Mata: (8/10) His delivery from set pieces left a lot to be desired during the opening 30 minutes, but he provided the assists either side of half time that put United ahead. Deserved his goal in the final stages.

Memphis Depay: (6/10) His first goal in the Premier League would have come as a relief, but his use of the ball was once again poor. If he can work on his decision-making, United should have some player on their books.

Anthony Martial: (6/10) Failed to find the net for the first time in a Premier League match, and was generally below-par throughout. Still had chance to show some impressive skill and pace on the ball.

Substitutes

Bastian Schweinsteiger: (6/10) Replaced Carrick for the final 22 minutes and helped his team see out the match.

Phil Jones: (6/10) Got another 17 minutes in the bag after his recent return from injury. May be pushing for a start in midweek.

Ashley Young: (7/10) Will feel that he deserves a place in the starting lineup, but still had chance to provide an assist after coming off the bench.



SUNDERLAND

Dick Advocaat manager of Sunderland looks on prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on September 26, 2015 in Manchester, United Kingdom.© Getty Images

Goal

Costel Pantilimon: (7/10) Could not be blamed for any of the goals. Had one crazy moment in the first half when he caught the ball outside of his penalty area.

Defence

Billy Jones: (6/10) A difficult afternoon for the full-back, who constantly found himself being attacked by the pace of Darmian and Depay.

Younes Kaboul: (7/10) Much improved from his poor outing against Bournemouth last weekend, but was still a part of a defence who shipped three goals. Place in the side remains under threat.

John O'Shea: (6/10) Didn't perform too badly on his return to his former club, but would have hoped to have prevented United scoring either side of the break. Needs to use experience to help side out of current run.

Patrick van Aanholt: (6/10) Provides pace down the left flank, but not a whole lot more. Not good enough defensively and missed a decent opportunity in the second half.

Midfield

Yann M'Vila: (7/10) The on-loan midfielder has been one of Sunderland's best players this term, but he is not being helped by his teammates. Could form a solid partnership alongside Cattermole.

Lee Cattermole: (7/10) Back in the side after recently being dropped to the bench. His best performance for a while, and more of the same should help Sunderland to points sooner rather than later.

Ola Toivonen: (6/10) Could not build on his goal against Manchester City in midweek. Missed a chance to halve the deficit during the opening moments of the second half.

Adam Johnson: (5/10) Barely offered a contribution during the first half before being hauled off at the break. Could find himself on the bench next weekend.

Jeremain Lens: (6/10) Forced a good save out of De Gea during the first half, but other than that, did not use his pace to optimum effect. Needs to offer more on the wing.

Attack

Fabio Borini: (7/10) Ran himself into the ground for his new side without little reward. Could be a regular option when Sunderland use one man in attack on their travels.

Substitutes

Steven Fletcher: (6/10) Was thrown on in the hope of supporting Borini, but he produced nothing significant in the final third.

Sebastian Larsson: (5/10) Introduced for the remaining 20 minutes, but could not offer anything different to Sunderland.


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Juan Mata of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on September 26, 2015 in Manchester, United Kingdom.
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