Mount and Sesko steady the storm as Amorim marks 50th with an assured, much-needed clean sheet

Under-pressure head coach Ruben Amorim reached his 50th game in charge with a calming 2-0 victory over Sunderland at a rain-lashed Old Trafford. Mason Mount struck after eight minutes and Benjamin Sesko added a poacher’s second as Manchester United secured their first clean sheet of the season and a third consecutive home win, a rarity in recent years.

There was a first-half scare when referee Stuart Attwell awarded Sunderland a penalty for a high boot on Trai Hume, only to overturn it after a VAR review. On a day of gusts and downpours, United were efficient and largely untroubled, while Sunderland stayed alive thanks to Robin Roefs’ excellent saves but never quite discovered the cutting edge to turn pressure into jeopardy for the hosts.

The result nudges United up to eighth, one point behind sixth-placed Sunderland, and offers Amorim a rare pocket of calm heading into the international break and a daunting trip to Liverpool thereafter.

An early goal that reset the mood

Good news arrived quickly for Amorim. Bryan Mbeumo clipped a measured ball into the area, Mount took one touch to settle it and another to guide a composed finish into the corner. It was United’s earliest league goal since Marcus Rashford’s second-minute strike at Ipswich in Amorim’s first match last November, and Mount’s first Premier League goal at Old Trafford for the club after being preferred to Matheus Cunha.

With the nerves eased, United’s right flank started to hum. The former Sunderland loanee Amad Diallo and Mbeumo both forced Roefs into almost identical low saves as the visitors struggled to shut down that avenue. Mount, one of Amorim’s most trusted players for his intelligence and work rate, frequently dropped in to help Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, reinforcing United’s grip in central areas.

Set-piece sharpness and a VAR twist

United’s second came from simplicity. Diogo Dalot hurled a long throw, a Sunderland touch skimmed it on and Sesko reacted fastest to nudge home from close range for his second goal in as many games and his first Old Trafford league strike. The striker later admitted the moment was one he had long imagined, soaking up the adulation as the Stretford End roared.

Just before the interval, jeopardy briefly returned. Attwell pointed to the spot, believing Sesko had kicked Hume in the face while attempting to clear, but the replay showed no contact and the decision was overturned. It summed up a half in which United had the measure of the contest without needing to chase it.

Lammens’ composed debut delivers overdue calm

Handed a debut after his deadline-day arrival from Royal Antwerp, Senne Lammens was greeted warmly by home supporters and repaid that trust with authority in key moments. In a crisp 90-second passage before the break he got down to his left to smother a skidding long-range drive and then rose to claim a high ball under pressure. Later he used his legs to block Chemsdine Talbi’s low effort and claimed late crosses decisively, drawing cheers with a stoppage-time take.

It was not flawless. Lammens raced from his area in one awkward episode that ended with Bertrand Traoré going down; the referee booked Traoré for simulation and play moved on. Yet across the afternoon the 23-year-old’s handling, calmness with both feet, and presence under high balls helped deliver a first clean sheet of the season.

Le Bris’ reshuffle and Roefs’ resistance

Sunderland’s Régis Le Bris adjusted early, withdrawing Simon Adingra for centre-back Dan Ballard around the 37-minute mark to reinforce the back line. The switch reduced the spaces United had been finding, slowing the hosts’ progress into dangerous central areas.

Roefs kept the visitors in touch with a series of fine saves: turning aside curving efforts from Amad and Mbeumo, then producing the pick of the bunch to tip Fernandes’ curling strike onto the post. Despite bright moments, Sunderland produced just 0.71 expected goals and asked too little of Lammens after the interval.

Context, numbers, and what’s next

This victory delivered more than points. United registered a third straight home win for the first time in over two years, have now lost only once at home to Sunderland in 31 meetings, and Amorim became the first United boss since Sir Alex Ferguson to win his 50th game at the helm. The home crowd responded with a full-voiced rendition of their Amorim song.

In the table, United climb to eighth, one shy of Sunderland in sixth. After international duty, United head to Liverpool, while Sunderland host Wolves. For Amorim, the task is to transform home comfort into broader momentum—United are still seeking back-to-back league wins under him.