Player Ratings: Sunderland 1-2 Manchester United

Sunderland

Kieran Westwood

A solid display as he collected crosses, organised his defence and there was nothing he could do about either of Januzaj's goals. Looked secure throughout and is clearly growing in confidence now that he is the club's number one. 7

Ondrej Celustka

Started the game well but struggled as Patrice Evra started to push forward in the second half. Attempted to support attacks on a few occasions and could hardly be blamed for either of Januzaj's goals. 6

John O'Shea

A confident display against his former club as he restricted van Persie and Rooney. Will be disappointed he didn't get more on Nani's cross as his header fell into the path of Januzaj, but it was still an excellent finish from the Belgian. 6

Jack Colback

Did well in the first half to limit the threat of Nani and Rafael but the Brazilian got the better of him on a number of occasions in the second half. 5

Valentin Roberge

Difficult to fault him as he coped well with United's world class forwards Covered Colback whenever the youngster got forward and looked composed when on the ball. 6

Craig Gardner

Took his goal with supreme confidence and consistently hurried and hustled the United players as he added some much needed steel to Sunderland's midfield. Supported attacks well but more importantly, stopped the away side from dictating proceedings. Replaced after 55 minutes by Sebastian Larsson. 8

Lee Cattermole

Another all action display which his manager Kevin Ball will have loved. Hounded Carrick and Cleverley throughout, consistently breaking up play and, somewhat surprisingly, never mistimed a tackle all game. 7

Ki Sung-Yeung

Outshone by Cattermole and Gardner but Ki always looks comfortable in possession and looked to carry the attack to Manchester United. Faded in the second half before eventually being substituted. 5

Jozy Altidore

Never looked like opening his account for his new club but works tirelessly and caused Vidic and Jones problems with his physical style. Faded as the game went on and you wonder when he'll break his duck. 5

Emanuele Giaccherini

The Italian has been a bright spark for Sunderland all season and once again his clever runs, tireless work rate and great technical ability was on display. Forced a great save from De Gea and troubled United's back line throughout. 8

Adam Johnson

Positive throughout as he looked to carry the ball and commit defenders. Always looked a threat when breaking at pace and was unlucky to see his good work not result in a second when Giaccherini blazed over in the first half. 7

Substitutes: Sebastian Larssoncame on with Sunderland leading but failed to provide same energy as Gardner. Tried to unlock United's defence with some clever through balls but always seemed to over-hit the vital pass. 5

Connor Wickham came on for Ki after 74 minutes and looked to use his physical style to bully the United defence but was unable to carve out even a single attempt. 5

Manchester United

David de Gea

Made one truly world class save to deny Giaccherini as he stretched to his left to tip the header round the post and at times kept United in the game in the first half as his defenders once again let him down. 8

Rafael

While the rest of the United defence looked shaky in the first 45 minutes, the Brazilian coped well with the threat of Adam Johnson. Got forward more often in the second half and linked well with Rooney and Nani. 7

Patrice Evra

Was beaten too easily for the first goal but often provided a good outlet in attack and did well to pick out Januzaj for the equaliser. An all action display which you come to expect from the French defender. 6

Nemanja Vidic

At fault for the first goal as he tried to pass the ball out of defence only for Giaccherini to pounce and put Sunderland ahead. Looked far from his commanding best despite coming up against a limited goal threat in Altidore. 4

Phil Jones

Dawdled on the ball on too many occasions and was fortunate that his pace allowed him to make up for his mistakes. He rarely seemed to communicate with Vidic and struggled against Altidore in the air. 5

Nani

Another wasteful display from the Portuguese winger who too often simply made the wrong decision. Did flash a volley across Westwood's goal and his cross eventually fell toJanuzaj for his second but too often his delivery into the box was poor. Replaced by Welbeck on 75 minutes. 5

Michael Carrick

Failed to control the game as he was hounded by Cattermole and Gardner. However, once the goalscorer was taken off he found more time on the ball and helped Manchester United gain more controlled possession. 6

Tom Cleverley

A very quiet game from the central midfielder who failed to influence the game in an attacking sense and isn't really the type to win to many tackles. Particularly struggled when Sunderland were in the ascendancy. 5

Adnan Januzaj

Flashed a right foot shot from the edge of the box just wide, took his first goal brilliantly well running on to the ball at full speed and side footing it home with his weaker right foot. His second was technically brilliant as he volleyed home a Nani cross. Only down side was being booked for diving after theatrically falling in the Sunderland penalty area. 9

Wayne Rooney

A strange game for the in-form striker as his teammates struggled to find him in decent areas. Looked to drop deep to influence the play but never really saw enough of the ball. Blazed one shot over from at a tight angle. 5

Robin van Persie

Had one opportunity late in the game as he found acres of space and only had Westwood to beat. Took it with the outside of his right foot but it was well wide.A poor finish and a quiet game for the Manchester United striker. 5

Substitutes: Antonio Valencia found van Persie to give the Dutchman a chance to finish off the game which he surprisingly missed. 6

Danny Welbeck was introduced late on and failed to see much of the ball. 5

Chris Smalling replaced Rafeal who had been cautioned. Only played the last few minutes. 5