Player Ratings: Sunderland 0-0 Manchester United

Photo: Manchester United

Manchester United played out their first goalless draw of the season in a rather disappointing performance against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon.

Michael Carrick fielded a rotated starting 11, with a number of key starters either out due to knocks or being rested after UEFA Champions League football was secured in the previous matchday.

Sunderland controlled the opening stages of the match, with United looking slow and lethargic in their play, relying heavily on Bruno Fernandes to create something. United did not turn up, and they struggled to trouble Sunderland shotstopper Robin Roefs, with Senne Lammens being tested time and time again down the other end.

United held out for the point, after a rather uninspiring 90 minutes.

Here are the ratings for the United players:

Senne Lammens 9

The best performer in the United team yet again. He started strong with an excellent save from a one-on-one with Noah Sadiki, and then he also dived well to deny Brian Brobbey. He made another excellent stop from Brobbey later in the game. Avoided any risks, and handled well on multiple occasions.

Noussair Mazraoui 5

Seemed off the pace straight away. He was constantly struggling with Chemsdine Taibi running towards him, and did not offer anything going forward. Diogo Dalot seems a much more reliable option.

Harry Maguire 6

Dealt with aerial balls well, like he usually does. Seemed slow on the ball, and at times gave it away way too easily.

Lisandro Martinez 5

Came into the team, with Ayden Heaven being somewhat unlucky to miss out. Struggled with the ball and found it difficult to handle Brobbey's physicality. Needs to do better or he's going to find himself on the bench.

Luke Shaw 6

One of United's better players defensively. Fought very well and kept calm, even when under immense pressure. Relatively safe in possession, and did not do well enough when he went forward.

Kobbie Mainoo 6

Started very deep in the absence of Casemiro, and while he tried to impose a sense of calm and control, he ended up having to do plenty of defensive work. Good on the ball, poor off it.

Mason Mount 6

Brought into the team for his first start under Carrick, and deployed deep alongside Mainoo. While he worked tirelessly, constantly looking to get on the ball, he was primarily left to disrupt Sunderland's midfield. He did not involve himself in possession as much as he would have wanted, and seemed relatively lightweight compared to Sunderland's midfielders. Mount will still need to do better to ensure his future at the club.

Amad 5

Received a lovely ovation from the Sunderland faithful, but he found it hard to impose himself on the match. Forced to defend more than he was left free to attack, and whenever he went forward, he looked a shadow of himself. Struggling massively for form, and probably needs this season to end as soon as possible.

Bruno Fernandes 6

A rather quiet game from the United captain. Constantly frustrated by the performance from the team and he did not look like he was going to get the record-equalling assist, looking rash on and off the ball. Still looked to create whenever he had the opportunity, but probably suffered from not having Benjamin Sesko to play to.

Matheus Cunha 5

Did not get into the game enough. Had a really tame effort in the second half, but he could not threaten the Sunderland backline enough.

Joshua Zirkzee 4

Joshua Zirkzee never really got going for United on Saturday, and it essentially summed up his time at the club. Headed a ball over the bar in the first half, and he was essentially anonymous aside from that. Did not hold the ball up well and looked slow, heavy on the ball, and lacked a cutting edge. Teammates were visibly frustrated with his failure to create options going forward. Seems like this will be one of his final games for the club, and rightly so.

Substitutes

Patrick Dorgu 6

Brought on in the hopes of making a difference, but he could not get on the ball in forward areas as much as he would have hoped.

Bryan Mbeumo 6

Barely got on the ball and could not make an impact.

Head Coach - Michael Carrick 6

This was always going to be a strange match for Carrick, given that United had already secured European football for next season. He took the opportunity to field some of the fringe players, and they did not really give him much motivation that they should be starting ahead of the regular first-team players. Possibly took too long to make some of the substitutions, but it was also a chance to see what United will be like without Casemiro, and it was not pretty. There needs to be strong and solid recruitment in the summer to support Carrick, if he gets the job.