Manchester United 3-0 Sunderland- Player ratings

Mata and Martial were the stars of the show for United

Manchester United went to the top of the Premier League table for the first time since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson after their 3-0 win over Sunderland. After Manchester City’s loss to Spurs earlier in the day, United had the chance of leapfrogging their neighbours into top spot and that was exactly what they did.

Memphis scored in the last minute of the first half to hand the lead to United. Rooney scored in the opening minutes of the second half before Juan Mata score in the dying minutes of the game to wrap up a convincing win for the red half of Manchester.

Here are the player ratings from the match:

Manchester United

David de Gea – 7/10

The Spanish stopper hardly had to make any save throughout the match as United dominated possession. However, when called upon he made a couple of smart saves with his feet and would be pleased with his first league clean sheet of the season.

Matteo Darmian – 7/10

The Italian was deployed on the left side of the defense to replace the injured Luke Shaw. Darmian looked equally comfortable on the left as well as he was able to snuff out the opposition passes and even made a few impressive forward runs.

He already looks like the buy of the season for the Manchester club as he keeps of racking up one impressive performance after the other.

Chris Smalling – 7/10

Smalling looks like he has left all his problems behind him as he continues to dominate games on his own. The Englishman did not give Borini too much time or space throughout the first half. In the second half, Steven Fletcher provided a different kind of threat as Smalling had to be on his toes because the Scottish striker's aerial ability.

Daley Blind – 8/10

The Dutch international looked comfortable throughout the match as he snuffed out any danger that the Black Cats had to offer. He was instrumental in creating the opening goal when he found Mata with a beautiful ball over the top of the defense. Had to go off with 15 minutes left on the clock due to a minor knock.

Antonio Valencia - 6.5/10

Valencia looked dangerous on the right wing throughout the match as he kept on making forward runs from the first whistle till the last. However, Sunderland did not test his defensive abilities as such the jury is still out n whether he can actually make it as a right back.

Morgan Schneiderlin – 7/10

Partnered Michael Carrick in midfield and sorted out any Sunderland attack before it turned into any sort of threat. Played the entire game from the shadows but due to the lack of Sunderland attacks his role was really restricted to just keeping the ball moving.

Michael Carrick – 7/10

Michael Carrick played his role to perfection protecting the back four and controlling the tempo of United's game. He kept the ball moving always available for a pass. The 34-year-old was subsequently taken off in the 68th minute and was replaced by Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Juan Mata – 9/10

The Spaniard continued his excellent form against Sunderland as well. He assisted the first goal that Memphis scored and ended the goal scoring with a goal of his own on the dying minutes of the match. He controlled the entire game coming in-field from the right wing. He even tracked back when the team needed him to.

Memphis – 6.5/10

The former PSV player is yet to find his feet in the premier league. Although he scored his first premier league goal his performance left most United fans desiring for more. He has to improve his decision making if he wants to survive in Louie van Gaal's team.

Wayne Rooney – 7.5/10

Wayne Rooney finally ended his goal drought after over a thousand minutes without a goal, his longest run without a goal. He even turned back the years as he went on a run with the ball leaving players trying to catch him. His first good performance in the league for quite some time.

Anthony Martial was one of the top performers for United on the day

Anthony Martial – 8.5/10

The teenage Frenchman was not able to score against the Black Cats, a goal that would have broken a record that has been set for over 40 years. He setup a goal for his captain and ran his socks off throughout the game. He held up the ball well and got all his teammates involved in the game.

Subs –

Bastian Schweinsteiger – 6/10

He came on with 20 minutes to go to get more control on the match and played his part perfectly.

Phil Jones – NA

Not enough time to make an impact

Ashley Young – NA

Not enough time to make an impact

Sunderland

Costel Pantilimon – 5/10

Could hardly be faulted for any of the goals he conceded. His catching was good and made a couple of good saves. The former Manchester City player did not do his old club a favour with the result as United leapfrogged the Citizens to go top on the Premier League table.

Billy Jones – 6/10

Did well to contain Memphis Depay for a majority of the match and hardly let the skillful youngster go past him. One of the very few players who looked comfortable in their position. Was not able to help out in attack but a decent performance by the 28-year-old defender.

Patrick van Aanholt – 5/10

He had a torrid time playing as a left back against Juan Mata as van Aanholt was dragged out of position by the Spaniard who kept on drifting inside. Due to the amount of possession United had, Valencia was also in an advanced position and Lens and the former Chelsea defender had their hands full during the match.

Younes Kaboul – 4/10

The former Spurs defender was run ragged by United's newest sensation. Martial held the ball up and went past him a few time and the tall defender had no answer for the youngsters pace and trickery. A day to forget for the experienced defender.

John O'Shea – 4/10

John O’Shea’s return to Old Trafford was one to forget for the former United player. He like his defensive partner were made to run around all game with no real impact on the match. They were rushed into clearances and were not allowed to pass the ball out defense. Advocaat needs to sort out his defense he has any hopes of staying in the top division of English Football.

Lee Cattermole – 6/10

Playing as a defensive midfielder, Cattermole tried to make himself available for passes and tried to break up play but the constant pressure from United proved to be too much for the Sunderland Captian to handle. He was eventually booked in the 85th minutes for a series of fouls committed throughout the game.

Ola Toivonen – 6/10

Scored a goal in the midfield game against Manchester City was was not able to recreate the same against their cross-town rivals. One of the few player who had a chance in the United box but the midfielder fluffed his lines. He did, however, put in a good shift.

Yann M'Vila – 6/10

The midfielder was arguably Sunderland's best player in the game. He was the only player who looked confident and comfortable when he was in possession of the ball. Shame his teammates could not help in out.

Fabio Borini – 4/10

Worked hard throughout the game but was not able to make an impact where it would have actually mattered, in the opposition box. Tried to hurry the United defenders into a mistake but was not given too much help by his teammates.

Lens spent most of his time tracking back with Antonio Valencia

Adam Johnson – 2/10

He looked lost on the pitch. He hardly did anything right in the match as his manager pointed out in his post-match. conference. He was pulled off at half time and it would be a surprise if he starts the next match.

Jeremain Lens – 5/10

He forced David de Gea into a smart save with his feet but for the rest of the match he was tracking back Valencia. Looked like the only player who could hurt United offensively.

Subs –

Steven Fletcher – 5/10

Stephen Fletcher came on for the hapless Adam Johnson at the beginning of the second half as Advocaat would have wanted a target man to hold up the ball. He was out muscled by Smalling on more than one occasion and went missing as the game went on.

Sebastian Larsson – NA

Did not see enough of the ball to actually make a difference