Man Utd had their best game of season vs Sunderland but it still might not be enough to save Ruben Amorim’s job

IT WAS a much needed three points for Manchester United against Sunderland on Saturday. 

It wasn’t exactly a statement win – it was never going to be against a team that was promoted by the Championship play-offs. 

But it was nevertheless a win for United, a clean sheet and certainly their most positive day of the season so far… and there haven’t been many of them. 

The first half didn’t start particularly well at all. United lacked confidence in the first five minutes or so. But the timing of Mason Mount’s goal eight minutes in really did lift the players.

And United thereafter in the first half were excellent. It was a first half that was reminiscent of the first 45 minutes against Burnley when that second goal did elude them. 

And that did have a big bearing on the final score on the way the second half went. But on this occasion, United did get that second goal.

And the timing, not just of that, but also of the late save by Senne Lammens and United not conceding the penalty in added time as well, had a big bearing on somewhat deflating Sunday’s second half. 

The second half was a little bit of a non-event. But as far as United are concerned, there were so many positives – like Lammens in goal.

He was always going to have to make his debut sooner rather than later with Altay Bayindir in front of him. 

And he showed why he should have come into the team earlier. He made two good saves at two crucial times at the end of each half.

In terms of the Bertrand Traore penalty shout in the second half, there was hardly any contact. It did look like a dive and referee Stuart Attwell got that one right. 

There was even a standing ovation for Lammens when he actually caught the ball towards the end of the first half, which was one for the fans to signal their appreciation for him. 

But also I think they will have seen the last sights of Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir, who did not exactly cover themselves in glory when they were going in goal for United over the last year or so.

So Lammens did well. But Man of the Match was Mason Mount. He was excellent. It was by far and away his best performance for Manchester United since he arrived from Chelsea just over two years ago.

That made a big impact. Casemiro was also a more stable presence. Lenny Yoro coming in gave better balance to the back three as well. 

So the changes that Amorim made, and there were five changes, and he had to make drastic changes in response to the appalling defeat at Brentford last week, they paid off and each individual had a big say in the final score. 

So whether the Manchester United manager will change for their next game at Anfield in a couple of weeks remains to be seen. 

But if this is indeed Amorim’s last game, then he at least ends it on a high in what was his 50th game in charge of Manchester United.