Ryan Giggs suffered his first defeat as Manchester United interim manager on Saturday as Sebastian Larsson's first half goal helped Sunderland clinch a 1-0 win that all-but secures their Premier League survival.
The Reds were neat and tidy in the opening exchanges, though the game was completely lacking in intensity and neither side was able to fashion a meaningful chance until John O’Shea deflected Michael Carrick’s cross just inches past the far post in the 18th minute. Moments later, Nani hooked a right-footed shot over the bar from 15 yards before Patrice Evra’s close-range header was comfortably saved by Vito Mannone.
The deadlock was broken on the half hour mark as Seb Larsson ghosted into the area to volley Connor Wickham’s cross past David De Gea, sending Sunderland’s travelling fans into raptures. While that concession forced United to up the tempo, the home side did little to trouble ex-Reds John O’Shea and Wes Brown before half-time.
