Manchester United defeated Sunderland in the Premier League to ease the pressure on Ruben Amorim as striker Benjamin Sesko scored for the second game in a row and survived giving away a penalty at the other end.
Defeat at Brentford last weekend had increased the spotlight on the United head coach before facing the newly promoted visitors, as rumours swirled around Amorim’s future and the Portuguese gave an impassioned defence of his position on Friday.
But two early goals at Old Trafford was just what Amorim needed as Mason Mount and new arrival Sesko put the hosts in a dominant position. Mount was left with time and space to fire in from 16 yards after just nine minutes, before Sesko doubled United’s lead from close-range.
Sesko was handed a reprieve just before half time after Stuart Atwell overturned his decision to award Sunderland a penalty. Sesko was initially ruled to have caught Trai Hume with a high boot, but VAR ruled he did make contact with his head.
United survived another small scare - as debutant goalkeeper Senne Lammens, starting ahead of Altay Bayindir, escaped punishment for bringing down Betrand Troare outside of the box - but the win came as sweet relief for Amorim.
Follow the reaction from Manchester United v Sunderland, below:
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Man Utd v Sunderland: Latest Premier League updates
- Manchester United defeat Sunderland in Premier League thanks to Mount and Sesko goals
- A 2-0 win over newly promoted Sunderland lifts some pressure on Ruben Amorim
- 45+3' NO PENALTY! VAR overturns decision after Sesko high boot [MUN 2-0 SUN]
- 31' GOAL! Benjamin Sekso doubles lead with close-range finish [MUN 2-0 SUN]
- 9' GOAL! Mason Mount left with space to fire United ahead early on [MUN 1-0 SUN]
Manchester United FC 2 - 0 Sunderland AFC
Ruben Amorim says actions speak louder than words despite Mason Mount’s support
20:14
,
Jamie Braidwood
Ruben Amorim wants actions rather than words after Mason Mount said Manchester United’s players were “100 per cent behind the gaffer” following the much-needed win against Sunderland.
Last weekend’s bruising 3-1 loss at Brentford intensified scrutiny on the Portuguese head coach’s position heading into his 50th match at the Old Trafford helm.
United responded well to that setback as a fine Mount opener and first home goal from summer signing Benjamin Sesko secured a 2-0 victory against promoted Sunderland.
Ruben Amorim weathers the latest storm to save his Man United skin – for now
18:30
,
Richard Jolly
Storm Amy had battered Manchester for a day and Storm Amorim for the best part of a year, but, drenched as he was by the teeming rain and buffeted by the winds, this was a sunnier day for Ruben Amorim in other respects. Perhaps he was delaying the inevitable rather than heralding a change of fortune, but there was respite in a 2-0 victory over Sunderland that was among Manchester United’s most dominant and emphatic of his troubled tenure.
Important goal for Mason Mount
17:15
,
Jamie Braidwood
Mason Mount has endured a terrible run of luck with injuries but proved his importance to Ruben Amorim today as he scored for the first time this season.
He is one of the few United players who fit into Amorim’s system and his selection at No 10 today ahead of Matheus Cunha could be significant.
Clean sheet on Manchester United debut for Senne Lammens
17:12
,
Jamie Braidwood
A lovely touch from Altay Bayindir as he congratulates Senne Lammens on keeping a clean sheet on his Manchester United debut.
Ruben Amorim’s big call before the match was to drop Bayindir but Lammens was solid on his first match and dealt with crosses with confidence.
Sunderland stay sixth after first defeat in five Premier League games
17:03
,
Jamie Braidwood
It’s still been an excellent start to the season for Sunderland, who remain sixth but could drop a couple of places depending on results elsewhere.
A couple of moments didn’t go their way today, including an early chance for Bertrand Traore when the game was goalless and the penalty overturn before half-time.
They host Wolves after the international break.
FULL TIME! Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
17:01
,
Jamie Braidwood
Manchester United rise to the dizzy heights of 8th! A third win in a row at Old Trafford and a clean sheet for debutant goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Anfield next.
FULL TIME! Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:58
,
Richard Jolly
A relatively routine win for Ruben Amorim and there have been few of those, so he can welcome that. Another goal for Sesko, a debut clean sheet for Lammens and the sense United got a reaction to defeat at Brentford all helped. It feels likelier Amorim will be in the dugout at Anfield after the international break.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:57
,
Jamie Braidwood
90+2 mins: So Ruben Amorim will head into the international break with his future looking safe for now. His United side travel to Liverpool next, which is obviously a tough assignment that could lead to more pressure, but a third win in a row at Old Trafford is something to build on.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:53
,
Jamie Braidwood
90 mins: Save for Lammens! A flowing move from Sunderland works a shot for Talbi but Lammens saves with his legs.
There will be five minutes of added time. That could have made it interesting.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:52
,
Jamie Braidwood
89 mins: Cunha skips past a couple of challenges but his shot is saved by Roefs. Cunha has been bright since coming on.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:48
,
Richard Jolly
85 mins: For those playing Amorim bingo, he has just made a centre-back substitution. Off went Leny Yoro, on comes Harry Maguire. Manuel Ugarte is also on for Casemiro, who had been booked.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:47
,
Jamie Braidwood
84 mins: Cunha, still looking for his first United goal, looks to work a shooting opportunity on the break but Geertruida stands well and clears for a corner.
Cunha then heads wide from the corner.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:44
,
Richard Jolly
81 mins: Back from a ban, Casemiro gets a booking for sliding in needlessly and missing the ball. He never learns, but the United fans sing his name.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:42
,
Jamie Braidwood
78 mins: Sunderland are throwing whatever they can at United now. This has really been an uneventful second half but Sunderland’s threat is growing. United seem quite sleepy.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:37
,
Jamie Braidwood
73 mins: Half a chance for Sunderland! Mukiele flashes a ball across the face but Brian Brobbey, flying in, can’t get a touch.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:34
,
Richard Jolly
71 mins: A relatively quiet second half so far. Perhaps Sunderland's chances of a comeback hinged on the penalty decision that was overturned (rightly so, I would suggest)
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:30
,
Jamie Braidwood
68 mins: Sunderland have made changes too, with Chemsdine Talbi thrown on in search of goal back. Talbi has a shot blocked, which sparked a United counter: but Mbeumo couldn’t find either Amad or Cunha and it broke down.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:28
,
Jamie Braidwood
65 mins: Changes for United: Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha replace Diego Dalot and Mason Mount, who opened the scoring.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:21
,
Richard Jolly
58 mins: Lammens' most difficult moment so far. He came out of his box, missed the ball and collided with Bruno Fernandes. Rather than capitalising, Bertrand Traore went down and was booked for diving.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:21
,
Jamie Braidwood
57 mins: A heart in mouth moment for Lammens on his debut! Traore looks to be through on goal and tries to go around Lammens. Does he bring the forward down outside the penalty area? It goes the other way! Traore is booked for diving!
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:18
,
Richard Jolly
55 mins: The Stretford End have been calling for the Glazers to go. There were some chants in support of Amorim earlier, even if only a minority joined in. It may not mean all the supporters think he is the right man, but Amorim should be grateful that they are reluctant to turn on their manager.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:14
,
Jamie Braidwood
48 mins: An uneventful start to the second half at Old Trafford. De Ligt guides a Sunderland cross out of play.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:11
,
Jamie Braidwood
46 mins: Can United build on their two-goal lead? I think a Sunderland goal could still set up a nervy ending at Old Trafford, so a third may be required.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:08
,
Jamie Braidwood
We are back underway at Old Trafford.
HALF TIME! Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
16:03
,
Jamie Braidwood
Premier League statement on VAR overturn:
“After review, there is no foul by the Manchester United player. He does not make contact with the head of the attacker. As the ball is out of play when the decision was made, the final decision is corner kick.”
HALF TIME! Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
15:54
,
Jamie Braidwood
Sunderland had five minutes of pressure but could not get a goal back.
United take a two-goal lead into half-time after a dominant performance until stoppage time.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
15:53
,
Jamie Braidwood
45+5 mins: CHANCE! A dramatic end to this half! Ballard should score from Xhaka’s corner!
NO PENALTY! Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
15:52
,
Jamie Braidwood
45+4 mins: VAR overturn! Stuart Atwell is sent to his monitor and rules that Sesko did not make contact with Hume’s head.
“No foul” Atwell says.
PENALTY! Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
15:50
,
Jamie Braidwood
45+3 mins: The penalty has been given! Sesko is penalised for the high foot! But was there contact?
This has been given by the on-field team. VAR will check.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
15:49
,
Jamie Braidwood
45+2 mins: PENALTY? Hume is caught with a high-boot in the box. VAR will check. It was Sesko with the contact!
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
15:46
,
Jamie Braidwood
44 mins: There are loud roars of approval as Lammens comes off his line to collect the corner.
There will be three minutes of added time.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
15:45
,
Jamie Braidwood
43 mins: A first save for Senne Lammens! Sunderland move forward in a rare attack down the right. Granit Xhaka tries his luck and connects well with the strike, but Lammens is equal to it and pushes the ball behind for a corner.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
15:40
,
Richard Jolly
38 mins: It was a sign of United's dominance that Sunderland brought on another centre-back, in Dan Ballard, and changed shape. Amorim may note they are now playing 3-4-3....
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
15:37
,
Jamie Braidwood
36 mins: Regis Le Bris is not hanging around. The Sunderland boss is preparing a change already. United have been dominant.
Dan Ballard replaces Simon Adingra, which looks like Sunderland are heading to a back-three. Ouch.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
15:35
,
Richard Jolly
Two goals in as many games for Sesko now. After an unimpressive start to his United career, he may now have momentum.
GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland (SESKO 31)
15:32
,
Jamie Braidwood
A FIRST OLD TRAFFORD GOAL FOR SESKO AND UNITED DOUBLE THEIR LEAD!
It’s a poacher’s finish from Sesko, who scores in back-to-back Premier League games. The striker pokes in from six yards after United kept Dalot’s long throw alive.
They deserve their two-goal lead.
Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland
15:30
,
Richard Jolly
29 mins: Four shots on target for United so far and part of their argument that they have improved this season lies in the statistics showing the number of attempts they have had. They have been near the top of that table. Just not the actual table.
Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland
15:29
,
Jamie Braidwood
26 mins: There’s no question who the busier goalkeeper has been so far. Senne Lammens has been watching on as Robin Roefs keeps Sunderland in the match.
Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland
15:27
,
Jamie Braidwood
24 mins: OFF THE BAR! It’s United v Roefs at Old Trafford! It’s Fernandes, this time, who shoots from range, turning and digging a curling shot that looked bound for the top corner.
The Dutch goalkeeper dives to palm it onto the crossbar and Amad heads wide on the rebound!
Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland
15:26
,
Richard Jolly
23 mins: Amad has begun brightly and just had a shot parried by Roefs. The combination Amad and Mbeumo is causing Sunderland some problems on their left flank.
Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland
15:23
,
Jamie Braidwood
22 mins; United are turning up the pressure! It’s Mbeumo this time who finds some space and cracks a shot at goal. Roefs saves again and is facing a busy spell.
Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland
15:22
,
Jamie Braidwood
21 mins: Amad Diallo shows what he can do from right wing back with a run forward and shot that gets the Untied fans off their seats. Robin Roefs is forced into the diving save.
Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland
15:20
,
Jamie Braidwood
18 mins: Xhaka is briefly forced off after a clash of heads but jogs back on after about 30 seconds.
Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland
15:17
,
Jamie Braidwood
15 mins: It’s a breezy day at Old Trafford but United clear Sunderland’s first attempt at launching the ball into the box from one of Nordi Mukiele’s long throws.
Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland
15:13
,
Jamie Braidwood
11 mins: That will be frustrating for Sunderland, who started well but left Mount with too much space on the edge of the box.
Mount scores his first Premier League goal for Manchester United at Old Trafford - and Amorim gets one of his big calls spot on after dropping Matheus Cunha for Mount today.
GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland (MOUNT 9')
15:11
,
Richard Jolly
Manchester United's two No 10s combine for a goal, just Mason Mount's third in the Premier League for them. It is a first assist for Bryan Mbeumo, who has been the best of the summer signings so far.
GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Sunderland (MOUNT 9')
15:09
,
Jamie Braidwood
RELIEF FOR AMORIM!
Just the start United needed as Mount scores his first of the season. Mbeumo found the former England international in space. Mount had time to take it down, space to pick his spot, and then launched a powerful strike into the net from 16 yards out!
Manchester United 0-0 Sunderland
15:08
,
Jamie Braidwood
6 mins: Nice move from United as Fernandes found Amad, who is playing against his former club, in space on the right. He picks out Mbeumo but his touch is too heavy and the chance quickly goes.
Sunderland’s fans, who are at Old Trafford for the first time in nine years, have not stopped signing Granit Xhaka’s name.
Manchester United 0-0 Sunderland
15:07
,
Richard Jolly
5 mins: Ruben Amorim is dressed in a shellsuit. He will change his attire in his bid to get a result. Just not his system.
Manchester United 0-0 Sunderland
15:05
,
Jamie Braidwood
3 mins: CHANCE! The ball is squared to Traore and the Sunderland forward somehow misses from six yards out! Traore is spared by the offside flag - with Adingra going just too soon as he was played in down the left!
Manchester United 0-0 Sunderland
15:03
,
Jamie Braidwood
1 mins: There is warm applause as Lammens comes out of his box to make his first touch. The United fans are desperate for a sturdy, steady presence in goal.
KICK OFF! Manchester United 0-0 Sunderland
15:01
,
Jamie Braidwood
An immaculate silence at Old Trafford.
The black armbands have a message on them which says, ‘A city united’.
We are underway.
Manchester United v Sunderland
14:59
,
Jamie Braidwood
Bruno Fernandes and Granit Xhaka shake hands at the pre-match coin toss.
Xhaka has been pivotal to Sunderland’s excellent start to this season - he faced United several times with Arsenal of course.
Manchester United v Sunderland: Reminder of team news
14:55
,
Jamie Braidwood
Man Utd (3-4-3): Lammens, Yoro, de Ligt, Shaw, Diallo, Casemiro,Fernandes, Dalot, Mbeumo, Mount, Sesko
Subs: Bayindir, Maguire,Cunha, Zirkzee, Dorgu, Ugarte, Heaven, Leon, Mainoo
Sunderland (4-2-3-1): Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Masuaku, Xhaka,Sadiki, Traore, Le Fee, Adingra, Isidor.
Subs: Patterson, Neil,Ballard, Geertruida, Talbi, Brobbey, Rigg, Mayenda, O'Nien.
Referee: Stuart Attwell
A good omen for Manchester United?
14:55
,
Richard Jolly
They are unbeaten in 24 Premier League games against newly-promoted teams. Amorim's record is 13 points from five games, winning the last four.
Manchester United to hold minute’s silence in tribute to victims of synagogue attack
14:49
,
Jamie Braidwood
Manchester United will hold a minute’s silence and wear black armbands at their Premier League game against Sunderland in tribute to the victims of Thursday’s attack at a synagogue in the city.
Two men, named as 53-year-old Adrian Daulby and 66-year-old Melvin Cravitz, were both killed outside the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation synagogue in Crumpsall, around three miles north of Manchester city centre. Three other people remain in hospital with serious injuries.
The attack took place on Yom Kippur, Judaism’s holiest day, and there will be tributes when Manchester United host Sunderland on Saturday, with players wearing black armbands as a mark of respect.
A minute’s silence will also be held before the 3pm kick-off.
Ruben Amorim explains his team selection and Lammens debut
14:46
,
Jamie Braidwood
"It's rotation, everybody has to be ready to play," Amorim tells MUTV.
"We need to win this game. Every opponent is different so we try to find the best characteristics to win every match."
Sunderland's first trip to Old Trafford since Boxing Day 2016
14:39
,
Jamie Braidwood
Time flies... Sunderland have been down to League One since their last trip to Old Trafford but taking on Manchester United is a reminder that they are back in the big time in the Premier League.
This is their first visit here since Boxing Day 2016, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s iconic scorpion kick goal rounding off a 3-1 win for Jose Mourinho’s side.
Senne Lammens out to warm up ahead of Manchester United debut
14:34
,
Jamie Braidwood
Lammens was signed ahead of Manchester United’s trip to Manchester City but was not thrown straight into the spotlight, with Ruben Amorim instead waiting a couple of weeks to hand the 23-year-old his debut.
With all due respect to Royal Antwerp, this is going to be the biggest match of his life.
Ruben Amorim: 'I understand what I'm doing'
14:29
,
Richard Jolly
Ruben Amorim has only taken 34 points from his 33 games in charge and finished 15th in the Premier League last season,
“Nobody here is naïve,” he said. “We understand that we need results to continue the project. We will reach a point that is impossible for everyone because this is a very big club with a lot of sponsors, with two owners. So it's hard, the balance is really hard.”
Amorim has come under criticism from pundits, including a host of former United players, but he told them he knows far more about his team than them.
“There is no one in the world that can read everything and listen to everything about people that understand football and not be influenced by that,” he said.
“So I try to listen and to see all the games because I know that I see the game more times than all those guys (pundits) together because they have to see all the games in the Premier League and give an opinion.
“My opinion is completely different. Because I see the games, I see the trainings, I understand my players, I understand what I'm doing and I follow my job this way because it's impossible to survive in this club, listening to all the things.”
Why Ruben Amorim’s biggest fear at Manchester United isn’t the sack
14:19
,
Richard Jolly
Ruben Amorim said he is not scared about getting sacked by Manchester United – because he can afford to pay the bills and because the worst thing about his results is the feeling he gets when his side loses, not his fears about the axe.
The Portuguese has won only nine of his 33 league games in charge of United and insisted he is not “naïve” and knows he needs more victories to avoid losing his job.
Amorim said he is keen to carry on at Old Trafford and revealed he hates losing just as much as he did when he was in charge of lower-division club Casa Pia in his homeland.
Regis Le Bris plays down nomination for manager of the month
14:09
,
Jamie Braidwood
Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris has played down his nomination for Premier League manager of the month.
Five points from three matches, conceding just one goal, have lifted the Black Cats to fifth in the table in their best start to a top-flight season in 70 years.
Le Bris, who is in the running alongside Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta and Manchester City's Pep Guardiola, preferred to share the credit with his squad, although he did see it as an indication his methods were working with the team.
"It's a pleasure because it shows our collective performances are good and we want to compete in this league," he told a press conference.
"It's positive as a manager, because it's clear that this is a collective effort."
Senne Lammens belatedly make Man Utd debut after Bayindir errors
13:56
,
Richard Jolly
Senne Lammens makes his Manchester United debut as Ruben Amorim belatedly turns to his fifth summer signing. Altay Bayindir is dropped after a series of errors this season. If Amorim had not picked Lammens now, it might have meant two more games of Bayindir, if he decided he could not give him a debut at Anfield.
Five changes from Amorim, a reaction to the terrible performance at Brentford. Dorgu and Cunha are dropped.
Sunderland make two changes at Old Trafford
13:51
,
Jamie Braidwood
Bertrand Traore and Simon Adingra replace Chris Rigg and Chemsdine Talbi for Sunderland, as Regis Le Bris makes two changes.
He names the same back four and midfield that kept a clean sheet at Nottingham Forest last weekend.
Senne Lammens make his Manchester Untied debut
13:48
,
Jamie Braidwood
A change in goal for Manchester United as Senne Lammens makes his debut, in place of Altay Bayindir.
Amad Diallo, Leny Yono, Casemiro and Mason Mount return to the line-up named by Ruben Amorim.
Matheus Cunha, Manuel Ugarte, Harry Maguire and Patrick Dorgu drop to the bench.
Manchester United v Sunderland team news and line-ups
13:47
,
Jamie Braidwood
Manchester United XI: Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot; Mbeumo, Mount; Sesko
Sunderland XI: Roefs; Hume, Mukieke, Alderete, Masuaku; Xhaka, Sadiki, Adingra, Traore, Le Fee; Isidor
Ruben Amorim says Manchester United's system is not to blame for their struggles
13:37
,
Jamie Braidwood
“We have had six games this se
