The clock at Old Trafford showed 63 minutes when the United fans in J Stand began to sing “United, top of the league!” Having played the same number of games as their rivals, United head the Premier League for the first time since they won a 20th league title in 2013. In the two years and four months since, United have had four managers and experienced turbulent times.
Nobody is getting carried away, not least coach Louis van Gaal.
While the 2015/16 season is still in its infancy and United’s next three league games are at Arsenal, at Everton and home to a Manchester City side they leapfrogged to go top, the 3-0 victory against winless Sunderland was another indicator that England’s biggest club are heading in the right direction.
Van Gaal’s side seldom produce the exciting attacking play espoused by United’s greatest teams but they control games according to the strict demands of their coach. And they are hard to beat.
With right-back Matteo Darmian playing at left-back, United were steady and far from vintage on a mild September afternoon as they dominated play against the league’s bottom side. They rarely troubled Costel Pantilimon in the Sunderland goal, but they did score either side of half time, a particularly productive time to score goals for United this season.
There were other positives. Memphis Depay bagged his first league goal since signing from PSV Eindhoven and captain Wayne Rooney his first league goal in 11 games. Both were presented with easy chances against an abject side whose manager, Dick Advocaat, had a record of only one defeat in nine matches against his compatriot.
Advocaat’s side have just two points from seven games and their 4-5-1 formation could only limit the hosts rather than beat them. With one league win at Old Trafford since 1968, this was understandable and they held out for 47 minutes against a team who were wasteful in the final third.
They fell behind when a long ball forward from central defender Daley Blind would lead to a goal. Blind and his defensive partner Chris Smalling are the only players who have played every minute of every league game and the Dutchman’s punt forward found Juan Mata. The Spaniard was unmarked after timing his run off the defender’s shoulder and he squared to Depay to tap in.
“The first half where the team were organised was OK,” Advocaat said. “We tried to hurt them on the break. We were well-organised against a good side but we gave the game away in two minutes. It’s difficult to come back against a team like that.”
The home fans who earlier had roared Tottenham’s goals on the streets around Old Trafford celebrated into half time, when Advocaat took off Adam Johnson.
“Every ball he touched was wrong,” the manager said. “Plus, Borini as a striker had problems keeping the ball. That’s why I brought on Fletcher.”
United doubled the lead within a minute of the break when Rooney scored in front of the Stretford End after a cross from Antony Martial, who was again aware and assured wearing the red of his new club. It was Rooney’s 171st league goal for United, level with Denis Law, the original king of the famous end. Van Gaal claimed he is not concerned who scores, saying: “When we beat Wolsfburg” – their next opponents – “and De Gea scores the goal, I’m also happy.”
Sunderland had chances through Patrick van Aanholt and Ola Toivonen, but David de Gea is performing well, as are his two central defenders.
With the home fans teasing the 3,000 vocal visitors about going down to the Championship, United made it three in the 90th minute when substitute Ashley Young burst forward and crossed low for Mata. Three similar goals, three difference scorers, three more points as the sun came out over Old Trafford and the fans went home happy with their side top.
Asked if his side can win the title, Van Gaal said: “This year is a big difference. You can start better from the top than from the bottom but it shall be very difficult. You can ask me again in May and I will answer more precisely.”
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