Man United ease pressure on Amorim with confident win over Sunderland
Under-fire Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim celebrated his 50th game in charge with a much-needed 2-0 victory over Sunderland at Old Trafford, a result that eased growing pressure on the Portuguese manager.
Amorim, whose tenure has been under intense scrutiny following a string of inconsistent performances, saw his side deliver a composed and clinical display. Mason Mount opened the scoring after just eight minutes, giving United the perfect platform with his first goal of the season. It was the earliest United had scored in the Premier League since Marcus Rashford struck in the second minute against Ipswich in Amorim’s debut match last November.
Benjamin Sesko doubled United’s advantage with a sharp close-range finish as the home side looked in control throughout. At the other end, Amorim’s decision to hand a debut to £18.1m signing Senne Lammens paid off, with the Belgian goalkeeper keeping United’s first clean sheet of the season.
Sunderland were briefly handed a lifeline when awarded a penalty just before half-time, but the decision was overturned by VAR after replays showed Sesko had not made contact with Trai Hume, as initially judged.
In a reign previously defined by grim statistics, Amorim finally has some positives to cling to. United recorded a third consecutive home win for the first time in over two years and extended their formidable record against Sunderland, having now lost just once in their last 31 home meetings with the Black Cats.
The milestone win also saw Amorim become the first United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson to win his 50th game in charge — a symbolic achievement not lost on the Old Trafford crowd, who serenaded him with a rousing rendition of their ‘Ruben Amorim’ chant.
For Amorim, this result won’t silence all the doubters — but it offers a much-needed reprieve and a foundation to build on amid continued speculation over his future.
