United take the lead

By Chris O'Brien
August 24 2014

Louis van Gaal claimed his first point as manager of Manchester United, but will have seen much need for improvement as his side drew 1-1 at Sunderland.

Amid speculation of a big-money move for Angel Di Maria, United seemed too reticent to take risks in the closing stages as the two sides shared the spoils.

The Red Devils had taken the lead on 17 minutes, with Juan Mata poking home from close range after Antonio Valencia delivered a low cross.

However, the lead lasted only 13 minutes, as slack marking from a corner-kick allowed Jack Rodwell to meet Seb Larsson's corner with an accurate header.

Much of the game, sadly, was too familiar for United's travelling Red Army. The visitors were without attacking impetus, Ashley Young was booked for diving and the defence, a three-man unit of Tyler Blackett, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, too often looked vulnerable lacked composure.

Van Gaal's men are, nevertheless, off the mark.

Record-breaking activity is anticipated in the transfer market in the days which follow, and supporters will be hoping that an anticipated move for Di Maria could lease new life into a stale United line-up.

United are expected to make wholesale changes for Tuesday's League Cup clash at Milton Keynes Dons, before a Lancashire derby with Burnley in the last game before the transfer window closes.

Full Time - Sunderland 1-1 Manchester United
Attendance - 43,217