Manchester United and Sunderland played out a dull 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
It was a first half to forget for Manchester United, with Sunderland putting Michael Carrick’s heavily rotated side to shame, and they should have led at the break.
However, holding on, United took a draw into half-time and emerged much better, having the best of the opening exchanges in the second-half.
The game ultimately ended 0-0, with the performance from both sides undeserving of the three points.
Here are the five things we learned from the game.
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Ayden Heaven should be starting over Lisandro Martinez
Given how brilliant he’s been, Ayden Heaven’s exclusion from the starting line-up was a head-scratcher, and Lisandro Martinez’s performance did little to soften this frustration.
The Argentine was concerningly weak against Brian Brobbey, poor on the ball, and looked a shell of the player we all picture when thinking of him.
Heaven is the superior player right now, and Carrick needs to start him in the final two games of the season, setting the example for next season.
Joshua Zirkzee is on the chopping block this summer
Arguably, the most frustrating part of United’s performance was Joshua Zirkzee, who struggled with the physicality and pace of the game up front.
Zirkzee was sluggish on the move and misplaced so many passes, including one instance where United were through five on three in attack. The Dutchman just isn’t up to scratch.
United fans wanted Zirkzee to start, but his performance proved why he hasn’t been a starter for two seasons now. It’s time to sell in the summer, and this outing sealed it.
Ineos have a lot of work to do this summer
If there were any illusions around Manchester United’s readiness for next season, those can be put to bed now after the performance against Sunderland.
Carrick has been working miracles, with the squad outside of the starters clearly not up to the levels required.
United’s five changes were the five worst players, and this summer, if Ineos want Carrick or anyone else to launch a title charge, they need five or six signings at least.
Bruno Fernandes blanks on assists again
The Premier League assist record remains untouched by Bruno Fernandes, after he drew a blank for a second game running in terms of assists.
Fernandes had four games to get two assists to break the record, but now that has become needing two from two to break it, or one to match it.
But against Sunderland, it was a rare occasion of Fernandes not even coming close to an assist, with United creating virtually nothing.
Michael Carrick has to see the season out better
The permanent Manchester United job is all but Michael Carrick’s, but he can’t see the season end with such underwhelming performances.
United were looking to appoint Carrick vs Forest, but another performance like this might sow plenty of seeds of doubt in the minds of Ineos.
Carrick had his hands behind his back with five changes and those players all struggling, but he needs to get better performances from the players, or use academy players to earn some good faith.
United can’t appoint him permanently if it looks like a negative corner has been turned.
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