Lammens holds Sunderland at bay as Manchester United struggle without Sesko
Lammens holds Sunderland at bay as Manchester United struggle without Sesko Ross Heppenstall at the Stadium of Light Sat 9 May 2026 17.05 BST Share 147 Prefer the Guardian on Google If Michael Carrick goes on to secure the Manchester United job on a permanent basis as expected, then he is unlikely to spend too much time watching the highlight reel of this forgettable encounter during the summer. From the high of downing their arch-rivals Liverpool at a raucous Old Trafford to secure Champions League qualification to a chilly, damp afternoon on Wearside where United were generally second best to a vibrant Sunderland side.
The visitors, showing five changes and without the in-form Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko, could have easily buckled in the face of some intense pressure, Brian Brobbey causing United’s backline plenty of problems throughout. Only the woodwork, and some fine goalkeeping from Senne Lammens, denied the hosts victory as United held firm.
“It was a tough game, but credit to Sunderland,” said Carrick, who took umbrage at a suggestion his players looked like they were on the beach. “I get offended if people are accusing us of that because if we weren’t motivated and in a good headspace then we lose that game today. We had to dig deep at times and weren’t at our best, but actually to take something from a game in which we weren’t at our best is a good trait that we’re trying to build.
“Yes, there were obviously changes and we were trying to find our rhythm, which was understandable. But I still quite liked a lot of the things that we did to give ourselves a foundation. I’ll take a point and a clean sheet.”
United struggled to pose much of an attacking threat. Joshua Zirkzee, deputising for Sesko up front and linked with a summer exit from Old Trafford, made little impact and was withdrawn in the 65th minute.
Carrick defended the striker on his first start since December, saying: “There were certain times when Josh linked up play really well and other times when we probably left him a bit isolated. I understand it’s not always easy for anyone when you haven’t played much to come into a game, but I’m not judging any individual on just one performance today.”
Noah Sadiki spurned Sunderland’s best chance when he burst clear early on, only for Lammens to deny him. The former Sunderland loanee Amad Diallo handled in the home box during the first half, but the video assistant referee, Peter Bankes, backed up Stuart Attwell’s on-pitch decision to wave play on. The United goalkeeper then bravely saved at the feet of Brobbey, who was a constant threat and forced another save from Lammens after the break.
Brobbey turned provider to tee up Lutsharel Geertruida late on, but his effort from the edge of the area thudded against the foot of a post as United survived. The visitors, though, might have pilfered the points late on, but Matheus Cunha’s injury-time effort was saved by Robin Roefs.
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