Trailing for 50 minutes to Craig Gardner’s early goal, United were facing a third consecutive league defeat, something they have not experienced since 2001, until the young Belgian struck twice in the second half.
His telling contribution spared United manager David Moyes from further scrutiny, in the wake of consecutive defeats by Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion, and lifted the defending champions into the top half of the table. Sunderland had opted for an extra man in midfield and that, and another change of central defensive partnership for United, proved decisive in the first goal.
Ondrej Celustka beat Januzaj in a 50-50 challenge just inside United’s half and when Emanuele Giaccherini crossed, Phil Jones hit his clearance at Nemanja Vidic, who miscontrolled. Gardner, playing as the extra man in midfield thanks to Celustka’s inclusion at right-back, pounced, steering a good finish inside the far post to give the home side a fifth-minute lead. Jones and Vidic were the fifth central defensive partnership that Moyes had tried in as many games.
His telling contribution spared United manager David Moyes from further scrutiny, in the wake of consecutive defeats by Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion, and lifted the defending champions into the top half of the table. Sunderland had opted for an extra man in midfield and that, and another change of central defensive partnership for United, proved decisive in the first goal.
Ondrej Celustka beat Januzaj in a 50-50 challenge just inside United’s half and when Emanuele Giaccherini crossed, Phil Jones hit his clearance at Nemanja Vidic, who miscontrolled. Gardner, playing as the extra man in midfield thanks to Celustka’s inclusion at right-back, pounced, steering a good finish inside the far post to give the home side a fifth-minute lead. Jones and Vidic were the fifth central defensive partnership that Moyes had tried in as many games.