Manchester United claimed a 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light to keep their top four hopes alive in the Premier League on Sunday.
United got off to a good start and had their first attempt at goal in the third minute when Jesse Lingard collected the ball on the edge of the box before lining up a strike, but its lack of power failed to beat Pickford, who made the save.
The Black Cats had a chance of their own in the 11th minute when Larsson swung his corner to the back post to pick out Jones, who tried to back-pedal to make contact with the ball, but he could only guide his header wide of the post.
Sunderland had a chance to open the scoring in the 20th minute when Oviedo curled his effort through the wall, but its lack of power failed to trouble the United goalkeeper as he made an easy save.
However, United eventually opened the scoring in the 30th minute when Zlatan Ibrahimovic turned Jones at the edge of the box, before expertly picking out the bottom corner with a fine right-footed strike to make it 1-0.
Four minutes later, United could’ve doubled their lead when Luke Shaw drilled the ball across the face of goal for Fellaini, but Oviedo made a goal-saving block in front of Pickford, who dived on the ball.
Sunderland were then dealt a major blow in the 43rd minute when Larsson dove in with one foot raised on Herrera, but did not make contact with the United man. However, referee Pawson sent him on his way.
After the first 45 minutes of the match, the Red Devils went into the half time interval with a 1-0 lead over the Black Cats.
United came out firing in the second half and doubled their lead in the 46th minute when Shaw picked out Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the final third, who fired the ball into the bottom corner through the legs of Kone to beat Pickford.
Jose Mourinho’s side had another chance to extend their lead in the 58th minute when Ibrahimovic floated the ball towards goal. His strike took a deflection off of Rodwell and almost wrong-footed Pickford. Sunderland then cleared the danger, but only as far as Herrera, who struck over the bar.
Sunderland had a chance to pull a goal back in the 65th minute when Defoe linked up with Ndong in the final third, before receiving possession again at the edge of the box. However, he could only drill his strike over the bar.
Substitute Anthony Martial had a chance to get on the score sheet when he latched on to a ball over the top and had a chance to score with his first touch, but he failed to lift his strike over the head of Pickford, who made a comfortable save.
The Black Cats had another opportunity at goal in the 81st minute when Manquillo took a neat touch inside to beat two United defenders, latching on to Rodwell’s ball over the top. However, his strike at goal sailed over the bar.
With a minute left to play until the final whistle, United added a third when Marcus Rashford rifled an effort past Pickford from close range after he was set up by Ibrahimovic.
United managed to hold on to their 3-0 lead over Sunderland until the final whistle to secure all three points and keep their hopes of finishing in the top four alive.
Image: Premier League website
