United View: Reds back to winning ways

For the next two weeks, Manchester United fans can rest knowing their team go into the international break on the back of a win, following a 2-0 victory over Sunderland. 

It was a much-needed routine three points and their third successive win at home.

Mason Mount opened the scoring after just eight minutes, slotting the ball past Robin Roefs on the edge of the box, before Benjamin Sesko tapped home from close range following a long throw-in from Diogo Dalot. 

This gave the Reds a solid platform and they were able to control much of the game on the back of this.

Mount, in particular, stood out, taking his goal extremely well with a soft touch and composed finish. 

It was a goal that his performance deserved, and the England international has made a good start to the season. 

He could play a big role for United this season, provided he were to stay fit.

Going into this match, Amorim suggested his team are influenced by media scrutiny, potentially even questioning his methods. 

Changes were needed following their 3-1 defeat to Brentford the week prior, and Ruben Amorim obliged when he gifted Senne Lammens his first start for the club, following his move from Royal Antwerp in the summer.

The 23-year-old didn’t have a great amount of work to do on his debut, but when he was called into action, the Belgian delivered, doing the basics very well. 

And at full time, he was serenaded to chants of “Are you Schmeichel in disguise?” from the Old Trafford crowd.

Altay Bayindir has been starting in place of Lammens, with Ruben Amorim suggesting he needed time to adapt to his new environment and the pressure that comes with playing for Manchester United. 

The 33 long passes from the goalkeeper also hinted at a more cautious approach, as they did not invite pressure with short passes out from the back.

This direct approach could prove to be beneficial, particularly with Sesko offering an outlet up top. 

It isn’t a style of football Amorim is known for playing, but a sign of the manager being adaptable to his squad, playing to his players’ strengths.

United weren’t able to replicate their attacking threat in the second half, although with a two-goal cushion, they were able to comfortably see out the win, something that has been a rarity this season.

This win eases pressure on Amorim, but United’s manager still expects more from his side. After the game, he said, “The frustration is not to see the same team at home and away. And you saw today, we didn’t play well in the second half, but we were focused. We fight second balls. Ben (Sesko) was there to touch the ball all the time. So, these small things are going to help us win games.”

While it may seem like the international break may halt any momentum from this win, Amorim stated there is ‘no momentum with our team’, with United still yet to win back-to-back games and only picking up one point on the road this season.

A trip to Anfield in two weeks will be another significant test, although Liverpool have come into a bad run of results as they still try to find the right balance with their new-look side.

Victory away at Anfield would be a huge boost to the feeling around the club, but that’s easier said than done. 

The introduction of Lammens could inject a level of composure, provided he continues his good form shown against Sunderland. 

It’s still a long way to go before we can say that things have started to come good for United, but this was certainly a step in the right direction.