Capital One Cup: Sunderland 2-1 Manchester United - Five Talking Points

United’s old failings coming back to haunt them

If there was one thing that was striking about United’s performance in the first leg of the semi-final, it was that they have been unable to get rid of the ghosts that have been looming large. For all their possession and the number of shots of goal, it never really looked like they were going to score. If there was one thing that was clear when United laid siege to the Sunderland goal, it was that they just couldn’t quite create chances that their forwards could take. And on the few occasions they did, they messed it up badly. United’s conversion and chance creation has taken a huge hit in the past month or so, and that was evident again against Sunderland.

Sunderland look a different side under Poyet

If there was one thing that was different under Poyet, sans the wins and the increase in the team’s confidence, it is the fact that the team is finally enjoying playing for a manager. That wasn’t necessarily the case under Di Canio, but Poyet, eccentric as he is, has finally managed to get the players on his side. The team has been playing with a renewed sense of belief ever since he took over and look like they have more than enough to avoid the dreaded drop.

This performance was a testament to how far they had come, as the Sunderland of the first couple of months wouldn’t have had it in them to win this game, but the tide has well and truly turned. With the second leg just around the corner, you can be sure that Poyet will be looking to get into the Cup final barely a few months into his reign.

Vidic looks like he is back to his best

He might be 32 years old, he might just be coming back from an injury that has curtailed his season so far, but by god, when he does play, there are few centre backs in the world who are better at what they do. The Serbian center half, once again showed just why he is one of the few leaders in this pack by coming up with the goods just when his team needed him the most. Whether it was winning aerial duels in defense, making vital interceptions or tackles or even scoring the goal that drew them level, the Serbian did it all. In a game that highlighted a lot of the flaws that have been hindering United’s progress, he was one of the few silver linings from this very dark cloud.Moyes must dip his hand in the January transfer pool

If there was one thing that was evident even before the game and was reinforced after it, was the fact that the current United squad is in dire need of some rejuvenation. For the second time in just three days, United looked a shadow of their former selves. One of their biggest qualities has always been their powers of resilience, but that is almost non-existent at the moment. Having already been dumped out of the FA Cup and with the League out of reach, if United are to salvage their season, they are going to have sign a couple of players, irrespective of whether the right kind of player is available or not.

United look toothless without RvP or Rooney

If there was one thing that was very noticeable about United’s romp to the title last season, it was that they were heavily reliant on two players to carry the team through. But, for the second successive game, both of them were absent and for the second successive game, United lost, without ever creating enough chances to claim that they were worthy of a draw.

Apart from the prolific Dutchman and the versatile Englishman, the current United squad is just extremely light on star dust, and for all the things that Chicharito and Welbeck did, they aren’t quite the aforementioned duo. Moyes must be hoping that either of them return quickly, because if they don’t it might just be a long hard season for United.