Sunderland – Manchester United

1. Welcome to our coverage this afternoon's clash between Manchester United and Sunderland. Huge team news to follow...

2. Sir Alex Ferguson has dropped Dimitar Berbatov from the starting line up, opting for Michael Owen and Federico Macheda in attack. A very curious decision from the United manager...

3. United also have Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand in centre defence for the first time this season, although Patrice Evra is on the bench. A strange team selection from Fergie?

4. Sunderland have Darren 'Goals' Bent up front, supported by Bolo Zenden and Ahmed Al Muhammadi.

5. Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, O'Shea, Nani, Scholes, Fletcher, Anderson, Macheda, Owen. Subs: Kuszczak, Evra, Berbatov, Smalling, Hernandez, Gibson, Bebe.

6. Sunderland: Mignolet, Onuoha, Turner, Bramble, Bardsley, Malbranque, Cattermole, Henderson, Zenden, Bent, Elmohamady. Subs: Gordon, Mensah, Da Silva, Riveros, Reid, Ferdinand, Gyan.

7. The United team will have given Sunderland a massive boost ahead of this match. Having already drawn with Arsenal and beaten Manchester City at the Stadium of Light, the Mackems will fancy their chances.

8. Five minutes to go until kick off in what promises to be an intriguing encounter.

9. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but kick off has been delayed by 20 minutes due to a burst pipe in the Manchester United dressing room. It isn't clear whether Dimitar Berbatov bit through it in a fit of fury.

10. Alex Ferguson has some time now to reconsider his team selection, although he obviously can't change it. It's a strange move given Berbatov's recent form.

11. Sunderland are a tricky propostion at home, and always pose a threat with Darren Bent up front.

12. Another man who has impressive for the Black Cat is "the Egyptian David Beckham" Ahmed Al Muhammadi. His delivery has been excellent and he's a great supply line for Bent.

13. The teams are back out, and looking dry! I think it's football time.

14. <b>KICK OFF</b> Manchester United get us started.

15. 1'

    Sunderland go straight on the attack, Darren Bent finding space in the box but he is unable to get his shot away.

16. 2'

    An early set piece for Sunderland, Zenden over it...

17. 2'

    A very poor delivery from the veteran Dutchman, drifting harmlessly out of play.

18. 3'

    Vidic scampers across the pitch to clear as Bent chases a long ball. The England striker fouls the Serbian, free kick United.

19. 4'

    Manchester United a struggling to get hold of the ball at the moment, a very lively start from the home team.

20. 5'

    A first corner of the match for Sunderland...

21. 6'

    Vidic heads clear for another corner...

22. 6'

    Yet again the United captain turns in behind for a third corner...

23. 7'

    The danger is finally cleared by United, Michael Owen earning a throw in the Sunderland half.

24. 8'

    It's still early days at the Stadium of Light, but the visitors haven't got going at all so far.

25. 9'

    Lovely interchange between Malbranque and Bent, resulting in a Darren Bent shot from 25 yards which is well wide.

26. 10'

    Titus Bramble is quick to react as Macheda tries to break, stopping him in his tracks and conceding a throw.

27. 11'

    A long ball from John O'Shea drifts straight through to Mignolet. A very lethargic start.

28. 12'

    United are looking a wee bit shaky, O'Shea heading clear as far as Jordan Henderson who connects with a volley, but sees it fly over. United launch their first attack at the other end, Nani stretching his legs and unleashing a drive which is deflected for a corner.

29. 13'

    Nani's corner is poor and Mignolet collects.

30. 14'

    Steed Malbranque wastes a glorious chance for Sunderland!!! Lee Cattermole breaks from midfield, playing a fantastic ball through the centre of the United defence. Malbranque's first touch is wonderful, and through on Van Der Sar he forces a decent save from the goalkeeper. What a chance.

31. 15'

    Sunderland free kick right on the byline...

32. 16'

    The delivery is poor, a cut back looking for a shot, only no one is there.

33. 18'

    Manchester United are looking poor, and Nani is down after colliding with Phil Bardsley.

34. 19'

    Nani is still down and looks out of it after feeling the sharp end of Bardsley's elbow.

35. 20'

    I should say that I don't think the elbow was intentional from Bardsley.

36. 21'

    United look very short of ideas, Rafael hits an ambitious shot/cross towards goal. It was never troubling Mignolet.

37. 23'

    Yet another Sunderland corner, Vidic again header clear an Al Muhammadi cross.

38. 24'

    Van Der Sar collects the ball confident, then launches it straight out of play. Dimitar Berbatov must be wondering what he's done wrong.

39. 25'

    Another Sunderland set piece, Nani bringing down Bent out wide. Can they convert one of these?

40. 25'

    Almost a goal from Darren "Goals" Bent!!! The ball is whipped in, Van Der Sar fumbles the cross, Malbranque drills a shot towards goal which falls to Bent. He pokes a shot towards goal that Van Der Sar saves.

41. 26'

    Manchester United look a team in trouble at the moment...

42. 27'

    They're trying to keep possession and feel their way into the game, but it just isn't happening for the Red Devils.

43. 28'

    Another Al Muhammadi, another Vidic clearance for a corner...

44. 29'

    Much better from Van Der Sar, punching the cross away from danger.

45. 30'

    Half an hour gone, Sunderland are well on top.

46. 31'

    A little lull in the tempo here, United maintaining possession.

47. 32'

    The two teams are exchanging long hopeful balls up field. By my reckoning United have had one shot so far.

48. 33'

    The visitors are seeing slightly more of the ball, although there is no threat from them as yet.

49. 34'

    More nice football from Sunderland. Al Muhammadi finds Zenden, he tees up Darren Bent whose left-footed curler is straight at Van Der Sar. He's been easily the busier keeper in this half.

50. 36'

    Zenden clatters a post!!! 25 yards from goal the Dutchman unleashes a hammer of a shot, beating the goalkeeper and smashing the post! Another cross comes in seconds later, which O'Shea desperately clears.

51. 37'

    Set piece to United right on the edge of the Sunderland box, Bramble bringing down Anderson.

52. 38'

    Nani tries to catch out Mignolet, curling a low effort just wide of the post.

53. 39'

    Mignolet has still not had a save to make. A suprisingly quiet half for the Belgian.

54. 40'

    Michael Owen was almost played through by Anderson, the attempted pass is blocked. Sunderland go back on the attack and Al Muhammadi earns a corner...

55. 41'

    United defend the corner and Sunderland are frustrated again.

56. 42'

    A bit of head tennis taking place at the moment. This game really needs a goal.

57. 42'

    A bit of head tennis taking place at the moment. This game really needs a goal.

58. 44'

    Sunderland will be disappointed not to have found the back of the net, surely United can't play this badly in the second half?

59. 45'

    <b>TWO MINUTES ADDED TIME</b>

60. 46'

    Darren Bent tries an ambitious effort from a tight angle when he should really have looked for a teammate.

61. 47'

    <b>HALF TIME</b> A very poor half from United, Sunderland will be pleased with their performance so far, but disappointed they haven't taken the lead.

62. 45'

    How long before we see Mr. Berbatov? Surely Ferguson can't wait too long before introducing him?

63. 45'

    Two wayward shots from Nani the sum total of United's efforts. Hardly the stuff of champions, is it?

64. 45'

    Steve Bruce has never beaten Sir Alex Ferguson as a manager, he won't get many better chances than today.

65. 45'

    The teams are back out for the second half, and Berbatov is readied...

66. 45'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Dimitar Berbatov replaces Michael Owen</b>

67. 45'

    <b>KICK OFF</b> Sunderland start the second half.

68. 46'

    A chance wasted for Michael Owen, starts are very rare for him nowadays.

69. 47'

    Berbatov has the ball in the net!!!! But the offside flag is raied!!! Paul Scholes fires a low shot at goal, it's scuffed and Berbatov diverts it into the net from an offside position.

70. 48'

    United have made a much brighter start to the second half, keeping possession and looking purposeful.

71. 49'

    John O'Shea earns a corner for United...

72. 50'

    Nani's corner is flicked on at the near post and into Mignolet's arms.

73. 51'

    Macheda finds space in behind the Sunderland defence, but he is correctly judged to be offside.

74. 52'

    Zenden is down and looks pretty uncomfortable. The camera zooms in on Asamoah Gyan, could we be seeing him soon?

75. 53'

    Zenden is up and should rejoin us soon. It's time we had a goal.

76. 54'

    Phil Bardsley is furious, he slides in on Nani and believes he has taken the ball. The referee disagrees and it's a United free kick.

77. 55'

    Sunderland have lost the impetus they had in the first half since the break, Al Muhammadi getting to the byline for the first time in the half and his cross is cleared.

78. 57'

    Free kick to United, Lee Cattermole hauling down Anderson.

79. 58'

    Corner to United...

80. 59'

    Mignolet collects and he has barely been tested this afternoon.

81. 60'

    Sunderland have a promising free kick, Scholes pushing over Malbranque...

82. 61'

    Al Muhammadi with a trio of shots after the free kick takes a deflection, eventually lashing a left-footed shot over the bar.

83. 63'

    Sunderland enjoying a spell of possession for the first time in the half but we're still waiting for our first goal as Zenden brings down Macheda on the halfway line.

84. 64'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Javier Hernandez on for Federico Macheda</b>

85. 65'

    So United have upgraded their strikers further with the introduction of Hernandez, can they find the breakthrough?

86. 66'

    Steed Malbranque hits a left-footed shot that takes a wicked deflection and dips just over the crossbar.

87. 67'

    The corner is taken short and Zenden drills it low into the box for Scholes to hoof clear.

88. 69'

    United have a corner as the wait for a goal goes on...

89. 69'

    The corner is taken to Rafael, his low drive is scuffed and United clear.

90. 71'

    This game is pretty scrappy at the moment, will we see a goal?

91. 72'

    A golden chance for Bent! Phil Bardsley is found in acres of space on the left, he dribbles into the box and cuts back to Bent. He takes the shot left footed but can only guide it wide!

92. 74'

    Hernandez has been very quiet since he was introduced. United could do with an injection of his pace.

93. 75'

    Fifteens minutes to go and it's still goalless.

94. 76'

    Rafael hits a viscious dipping drive from 25 yards which stings the palms of Mignolet!

95. 78'

    Bolo Zenden hacks down Nani on the halfway line.

96. 79'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Bebe on for Anderson</b>

97. 80'

    Lovely approach play from Hernandez, finding Berbatov in space on the edge of the box. He closes down on goal and drags his effort wide of goal.

98. 81'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Asamoah Gyan on for Steed Malbranque</b>

99. 82'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> <b>Andy Reid on for Bolo Zenden</b>

100. 83'

     So Sunderland have made some attacking changes and are looking to take the three points.

101. 83'

     An incredible acrobatic effort from Gyan! His first touch is a wonderful over head kick that forces Van Der Sar into a full-length save.

102. 84'

     Gyan looking lively again, slipping past the defender and drilling a low cross at Van Der Sar, why wasn't he on sooner?!

103. 85'

     A great one-two between Hernandez and Berbatov, the Mexican eventually lashing an effort over the bar.

104. 86'

     Andy Reid tries to find Gyan or Bent in the box, but his cross is over hit. Very disappointing.

105. 87'

     I feel we deserve a goal for persisting with this match, it's been pretty uninspiring stuff.

106. 88'

     Nani with another poor effort, his bending effort bouncing wide of the far post.

107. 89'

     Into the last minute and there's no sign of a break through...

108. 90'

     <b>THREE MINUTES ADDED TIME</b>

109. 91'

     Darren Bent trying to get on the scoresheet, throwing himself at an Al Muhammadi cross and guiding his header over the bar.

110. 92'

     Michael Turner with a cynical lunge to bring down Berbatov.

111. 92'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> <b>Turner</b> gets a booking and United have a free kick...

112. 92'

     The cross is floated into the backpost, nodded back to Vidic who connects with the header and it's blocked. Sunderland with a last-minute corner...

113. 93'

     The corner is cleared for yet another corner!

114. 93'

     What a disappointment! The corner is taken short to Andy Reid and his low shot is cleared.

115. 93'

     <b>FULL TIME</b> Sunderland will be disappointed with a point and Manchester United were very poor indeed.

116. 93'

     Sunderland will look back on the chances that fell to Bent and Malbranque and wonder what might have been. United rarely threatened and it was a worrying performance.

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