'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
De Gea – 7.5
The Spaniard was tested a few times by the Sunderland attack in the second half and he did well to justify his selection in the starting lineup ahead of Lindegaard.
Jones – 7.5
Jones looked increasingly sharp going forward and was at his combative best at the back, as he enjoyed an almost perfect night as a makeshift right back.
Smalling – 6
Looked a bit dodgy in closing the shots from the Sunderland players and a tad lethargic in the second half.
Ferdinand – 6
Hardly put a foot wrong in a rather comfortable evening at the back for United.
Evra – 6.5
The Frenchman was ferocious on the breaks for United and didn’t do much wrong at the back either.
Valencia – 7
Another tireless shift from the United no. 7 as he kept on crafting numerous opportunities for the attackers waiting in the box.
Carrick – 6.5
The English midfielder dominated the proceedings for his side in the early phase of the game and the tempo created by him proved decisive in claiming the early lead for the home side.
Cleverley – 8.5
Cleverley was that burst of energy in the midfield that Sunderland failed to answer all evening. His delightful curler past Mignolet in the 19th minute was the highlight of the game.
Young – 7.5
His pace was too much to cope for Cuellar throughout the game as the winger capped another formidable performance this season.
Rooney – 8
The United stalwart played his playmaking role to perfection and was also quick to seize the chance to put his name on the score sheet in the second half.
van Persie – 9
Another stellar performance for the Dutchman as he went on to score and create the other two for United.
Substitutes:
Scholes – 6.5
Came on after the break to maintain order in the midfield and he did just that.
Vidic – 6
Sir Alex thought of giving the Serbian a late run in the game and despite being tested by the Sunderland attack in the latter stages, he should feel content on his comeback to the side after almost 3 months.
Giggs – 6.5
The Welshman didn’t had much time to influence the game, yet few touches did create a couple of chances for the home side.
Mignolet – 6
As expected, the Sunderland ‘keeper had a busy outing this evening against the best attack in the league. As far as the goals are concerned, he couldn’t have done much to save any one of the three past him.
Cuellar – 6
The defender struggled to cope with Young and Evra on the breaks as he lacked confidence to prove his credentials on the flank.
Bramble – 7
By far, the best defender on the pitch as he made some crucial blocks, limiting United to only 3 goals on a night which looked to be a rout for the Black Cats.
O’Shea – 5.5
O’Shea didn’t enjoy his return to Old Trafford as he made a mess of a clearance that opened the floodgates for United.
Colback – 6
The left back started off well on the flank for the away side but his influence faded gradually from the game.
Larsson – 6.5
Did all the hard work in the midfield to revive some momentum in the second half, yet could have been more clinical with his passing.
Gardner – 6
Gardner had one of his off days tonight as he did little to win key midfield battles for his side.
Johnson – 6
The wingplay of Evra and Young gave minimal space to Johnson to conjure any potent move upfront which led the manage to replace him in the second half.
Sessegnon – 7
Sessegnon could always pose problems to the opposition when fed with some possession in the attacking half. With the introduction of Campbell and Wickham, Sessegnon found his attacking moves flourishing in a more consistent fashion and the consolation goal was all about his perseverance to create from nothing for his side.
McClean – 6.5
McClean didn’t do much until the second half when he tried to impose his presence in winning some crucial 50-50 challenges for his side.
Fletcher – 6.5
The game never really kicked off for the Sunderland striker as he never found the chances coming his way in the first half. An unfortunate injury meant his evening on the pitch was cut-short at halftime.
Substitutes:
Wickham – 7
Wickham did well to hold up the play and create a number of chances for his side right from his introduction after the break.
Campbell – 7
Looked determined in linking up with the attacking front of the side as Sunderland enjoyed a decent end to the game.
McFadden – 6
Came on as a late substitute and didn’t have much impact on the game.
