Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland - Five Talking Points

Manchester United bounced back from the disappointment in Wales by a workman-like performance against Sunderland to earn a 2-0 win at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney scored a brace to end his 8-game barren run as he returned to scoring ways in no time after being pushed upfield by Louis van Gaal.United have made Old Trafford a fortress this season, and continued with the good work on Saturday.Here are the five talking points from the game:

#1 Return of Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring Manchester Uniteds first goal against Sunderland

Fans were clamoring for this and they finally got what they wished for. Wayne Rooney returned to his favoured position up frontand the gamble paid off almost instantaneously. After his lengthy spell in the heart of midfield alongside Daley Blind, the Englishman featured alongside Radamel Falcao against Sunderland.

The move was more or less forced due to the unavailability of Robin van Persie, who is out due to an ankle injury. Rooney seemed in his elements throughout the game and was playing as the bridge between the midfield and Falcao. The skipper led the proceedings and was influential throughout the game.

He eventually halted his barren run of eight games as he scored a brace by opening the scoring from the spot kick andadding a second in the 89th minute. If only his fellow attackers had replicated the intent displayed by Rooney, the games scoreline would have something different.

Theseare the exact qualities that Manchester United have been missing up frontall season. If Manchester United really want to make a meal out of the race for the top four, theyll need their captain up top. Robin van Persies injury could indeed be a blessing in disguise for Rooney as well as United.

#2 The Wrong Red - Wes Brown pays for O\'Shea

Wes Brown and John O Shea stare at each other after Radamel Falcao is brought down

Refereeing has always been a contentious issue in the English Premier League. Today was one such case where we saw the return of the howler from the man who matters the most. Roger East did a Andre Marriner he too became a victim of mistaken identity.

John OShea committed a foul on Radamel Falcao in a crowded penalty box and there was chaos all around. The referee blew his whistle and pointed to the spot. Everything till this point was perfectly sane but what ensued from here on was complete chaos.

East handed a red card to Wes Brown, this perplexed everyone around the Sunderland penalty box. After much deliberation, Roger East stuck to his decision and sent Wes Brown for an early bath.

John OShea tried to persuade the refereeto no avail. It wasnt a pleasant homecoming for former United man Brown. To compare this to the Chamberlain-Gibbs fracas can also be deemed to beinappropriate as both the players are fairly distinct from each other in appearance.

#3 Wingers begin to fly

Adnan Januzaj with manager Louis van Gaal after the match

A lot has been said and done regarding the wingers of this United side. Some fans and pundits have called for the heads of these players but somehow they have managed to stay on at Old Trafford.

Today was something exceptional as far as the wingers are concerned. Ashley Young was at his lethal best,constantly wreaking havoc down the left. Angel Di Maria had a forgettable afternoon as he was haphazard and was at times pushed away by the likes of Patrick van Aanholt.

But the introduction of Adnan Januzaj turned the game on its head. The young Belgian winger displayed the very same qualities which have been synonymous with Manchester United wingers of yore.

The calmness and comfort displayed by the Manchester United attack in the presence of two burgeoning wide men was distinctly visible. Along with the wingers, the two full backs also produced overlapping runs, which are again synonymous with Uniteds philosophy.

While tonightsperformance might not have been vintage fromthe boys in red, there were flashes of their swashbuckling best at times. Today for the very first time, Louis van Gaals Manchester United looked to have had the DNA of Manchester United ingrained in it.

#4 Summer signings continue to misfire

Sunderlands John O Shea tackles Manchester Uniteds Radamel Falcao

It has been almost eight months in the season and Manchester Uniteds mega summer recruits are yet to fire all cylinders. Radamel Falcao has already been subject to heavy scrutiny and criticism from both media and fans alike.

To say thaAngel Di Maria also was below par today would be an understatement. The record signing has had a stop-start season. After starting off the season brightly the wily Argentine has been fairly subdued for the remainder of the season. It seems that he just hasnt regained his pre-injury form.

Radamel Falcao has been backed by the gaffer since he has regained fitness but the misfiring Colombian has failed to repay the faith of his management. Falcao of Manchester United is a grafter but isnt the lethal poacher that the world has known him to be. His misses from close ranges,and his inability to link up with his strike partner Robin van Persie hasnt done him and the club any good.

Falcao is lacking in confidence and also testing the patience of Louis van Gaal. Di Maria on the other hand, is backed by his manager who has asked the supporters to have patience with him.

#5 Midfield muddles continue

Manchester Uniteds Daley Blind in action against Sunderland

Manchester United splashed almost 40 million pounds in the summer to bolster their midfield, as they recruited Ander Herrera and Daley Blind. Both the summer signings started the game today as they worked in tandem behind Wayne Rooney.

Sunderlands high pressing game hurried the hosts and particularly their midfielders, who had to deal with Jermain Defoes attacking threat.This hampered their creativity and also put them underunnecessary pressure.

Ander Herrera had a good game as the roaming playmaker for the Reds but he too was bullied at times by Jordi Gomez. Manchester United hogged the majority of possession but they lacked the cutting edge and steel in midfield. The truth to be highlighted was that Manchester United requires a commanding presence in the middle of the park. MarouaneFellaini may be considered to be the alternative inthis predicament, but the burly Belgian is some way off from the level of trulyworld-class midfield enforcers.