EPL: Lammens stars as Manchester United survive Sunderland scare

Manchester United were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by Sunderland on Saturday as several fringe players failed to impress in a flat performance at the Stadium of Light.

With injuries ruling out Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko, Michael Carrick handed opportunities to players including Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount, but neither did enough to inspire United going forward.

Lammens keeps United alive

Sunderland started brighter and looked the more dangerous side throughout much of the contest.

Chemsdine Talbi came close early on with a curling effort before United goalkeeper Senne Lammens produced an excellent save to deny Noah Sadiki after the midfielder broke through the defence.

United offered very little in attack during the opening half.

An off-target strike from Amad Diallo and a weak header over the bar from Zirkzee represented their best attempts before the interval.

Sunderland waste better chances

The hosts continued to threaten after the break and were unlucky not to take all three points.

Lammens again came to United’s rescue by parrying a powerful effort from Brian Brobbey after the striker burst into the penalty area.

Brobbey later turned provider for Lutsharel Geertruida, whose low strike bounced back off the post.

United nearly snatched an undeserved winner late on when Matheus Cunha forced a smart stop from Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs in stoppage time.

Mount and Zirkzee fail to convince

The draw will do little to ease concerns surrounding United’s attacking problems.

Mount and Zirkzee, both hoping to stick claims for regular roles under Carrick, struggled to influence the game and failed to provide the cutting edge United badly lacked.

For Sunderland and Regis Le Bris, the result may feel frustrating given the number of chances created, but the performance showed encouraging signs against one of the league’s biggest clubs.