Ruben Amorim can put his feet up and enjoy the international break knowing his job is safe for now after Manchester United enjoyed a surprisingly comfortable 2-0 win over Sunderland. Mason Mount struck early to get the Red Devils off on the right foot before Benjamin Sesko pounced after waves of pressure from the hosts, who deservedly won a third home game in a row.
United looked comfortable from the off and scored their earliest goal since Amorim’s first game in charge at Ipswich 11 months ago when Mount trapped a cross from Bryan Mbeumo with his left foot then used his right to slot low into the net in the eighth minute. They continued to look at ease and were pushing for a second, with Mbeumo and Amad both denied by good stops from Robin Roefs, who produced a tremendous save to tip a fizzing Bruno Fernandes strike onto the crossbar.
The second goal duly arrived just after the half-hour mark as United joined the new-found Premier League craze of scoring via throw-ins. Diogo Dalot lobbed the ball into the danger zone, Sunderland couldn’t clear it properly and Sesko volleyed home from close range, scoring for the second game in a row.
United nearly shot themselves in the foot when Sesko stuck out a high foot defending a corner and, on first viewing, appeared to strike Trai Hume in the head. Referee Stuart Attwell gave a penalty but overturned it on review, deeming that no contact had been made.
United took their foot off the gas a bit in the second half and Sunderland had a couple of half chances but debutant goalkeeper Senne Lammens impressed, guaranteeing Amorim a peaceful end to a game for once.
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