Highlights: Manchester United struggle to a 1-1 draw against Sunderland

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Wayne Rooney and Michael Keane after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against Sunderland

Manchester United got off to the worst start to a Premier League season since 1992-93 when they came off to a 1-1 draw against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. United had lost their opening game 1-2 to Swansea making it just 1 point from the opening two games.

Striker Robin van Persie played his first game for Manchester United after taking an extended break to recover from taking part in the FIFA World Cup in the summer.

Manchester United: De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Blackett; Valencia, Cleverley, Fletcher, Mata, Young; Rooney, van Persie.

Subs: Amos, M. Keane 44', James, Kagawa, Hernandez, Welbeck 63', Januzaj 63'

Sunderland: Mannone, Vergini, Van Aanholt, Brown, O'Shea, Cattermole, Larsson, Rodwell, Buckley, Wickham, Fletcher

Subs: Pantilimon, Jones, Bridcutt 79', Gomez 63', Altidore 77', Mavrias, Roberge.

Louis van Gaal started with his familiar 3-5-2 formation, but the 3 centre-backs never looked comfortable in possession.

Sunderland 0 -1 Manchester United : Juan Mata (16’)

An innocuous looking cross from Antonio Valencia went along the ground and fell into the path of Juan Mata who tapped it in to give the visitors an undeserved lead.

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Sunderland 1-1 Manchester United: Jack Rodwell (30’)

The Old Trafford outfit’s defensive frailties were exposed again as Jack Rodwell rose unmarked to head in the equaliser for the home team through a corner.

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Ashley Young was cautioned for simulation as Manchester United tried to step up the pace

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Though United were better in the second half, they looked devoid of pace and imagination and that is what Louis van Gaal sought to do by bringing on Welbeck and Januzaj.

That move might have paid off as Welbeck put Ashley Young through on goal only for keeper Vito Mannone to come up with a Neuer-esque clearance.

Another angle:

United lie 13th on the Premier League table and play Burnley at Turf Moor on the 30th but have a visit to MK Dons in the League Cup just a couple of days from now.

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