Sunderland 2-1 Manchester United: 5 talking points

Sunderland piled more misery on Louis van Gaal, as Wahbi Khazri and Lamine Kone both scored from set-pieces to inspire the Black Cats to a famous 2-1 victory over Manchester United. In addition to being their first ever league success over Manchester United at the Stadium of Light, it will be a massive boost of confidence in their relegation dogfight.This victory takes them to within a single point of north-east rivals Newcastle United. Manchester United, on the other hand, remain fifth 6 points adrift of fourth-placed neighbours Manchester City and having played the extra game.The top 4 looks almost an impossible task for Louis van Gaal, and this result will most definitely shift United’s focus towards the Europa League as their ticket to next season’ÂÂs Champions League.We look at the 5 talking points that shaped up a famous victory for Big Sam and his boys:

#1 Wahbi Khazri\'s electric performance

Khazri was a force to reckon with on the wings

Sunderland’s January signing from Bordeaux was a force to reckon with in the first half, as right-backs Matteo Darmian and Donald Love found out. He was key to Sunderland’s intensity in the early stages of the game, beating Darmian for pace in one-on-one duels and winning a lot of fouls from the Italian.

His enthusiastic approaches towards the Manchester United penalty area threatened to open up their defence on a number of occasions. He missed a good chance in the 27th minute after being sent clear by Jermain Defoe. His clash with Darmian in the 37th minute meant that the fullback had to go off with a dislocated shoulder. A typical knockout blow, if one would like to call it that way.

It was all the same with Love in the second half. Sunderland were easily the better side throughout the 45 minutes, as they pressed hard and took the game to Manchester United. The Tunisian winger exploited Love’s inexperience at the senior level, drawing him to commit challenges and dribbling past him in the process. A day to cherish for the 25-year old in his eaely days at the Stadium of Light.

#2 Manchester United\'s lack of man-marking costs them yet again

Lamine Kone(centre) heads in completely unmarked to win it for Sunderland

Manchester United were once again found guilty of indecision on which individual should mark whom inside their penalty. A series of outswinging corners from Wahbi Khazri in the second half were always threatening to lead to a Sunderland winner.

They ultimately got what they deserved, but they were helped by Chris Smalling switching off and failing to track the run of Lamine Kone. Kone gleefully accepted the free header, heading powerfully to beat a scrambling David de Gea and send Stadium of Light into absolute delirium. A similar mistake cost United against Southampton last month, and this was no different. Poor, poor marking.

#3 Vito Manonne keeps Sunderland in it

Manonne made 5 saves to frustrate Manchester United

A good goalkeeper can win you games a team is not supposed to win. That was the case with ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Manonne, as he was strong in goal to help Sunderland clinch a memorable victory. He made 5 saves – including 2 brilliant ones to deny Juan Mata (rebound converted by Anthony Martial) and Memphis Depay – to bail out his defence.

The 27-year old has had a tough last few fixtures with his uncertainty in handling the ball and indecision in distribution. However, Saturday’s performance suggested that he was back to the form Sam Allardyce would have demanded in order to tighten up his leaking defence.

With 21-year old reserve goalkeeper Jordan Pickford still not experienced enough for first-team football, it is critical Manonne keeps this level of concentration intact if Sunderland have to successfully shrug off their relegation worries.

#4 John O\'Shea thwarts his former team on a number of occasions

John O’Shea’s first half performance inspired Sunderland to a famous victory against his former club

It is important that a captain performs at his highest level to inspire his side to a victory against a top-calibre opposition. John O’Shea – who played more than 400 times for Manchester United – put in a typical skipper’s performance at the back against his former club.

His display in the first half was exquisite, keeping out a series crosses coming from the wings to deny a Manchester United player from meeting it in the penalty area. He also marshalled his defence professionally, catching Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial offside on a number of instances. A performance of real hard work and composure that Big Sam will be proud of.

#5 Are Manchester United good enough for the Champions League?

How long will he remain on the hot-seat

No, they aren’t. A poor performance overall – failing to convert chances in the first half and being absolutely trampled over by a side in the relegation zone – is not Champions League material. Every time they take a step forward, they seem to back it up with two steps backward.

A lack of the killer finish to beat the Sunderland keeper, reluctance to shoot from outside the penalty area and unforgivable defensive errors are not elements that define a team chasing the Champions League spots. Even the fullbacks DeAndre Yedlin and Patrick van Aanholt were afforded the freedom to press forward in the second half – something very unlike Manchester United.

Saturday’s defeat means that with 12 games to go and 5 out of those against teams in the top 6, Manchester United are almost certain to miss out on the top four. The Europa League looks like United’s only route to next season’s Champions League and Louis van Gaal’s only hope of holding on to his job come next season.

If Jose Mourinho has indeed agreed a deal to become Manchester United manager from July, this result only intensifies those speculations.