Late David de Gea own goal dents Manchester United’s top-four hopes in Sunderland reversal
Struggling Sunderland snatch 2-1 victory – their first over the Red Devils on Wearside in the Premier League in 19 years – and it heaps more pressure on under-fire manager Louis van Gaal
David de Gea’s cruel 82nd-minute own goal condemned Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United to a 2-1 defeat at struggling Sunderland on Saturday that compromised their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Bidding to close a six-point gap separating them from fourth-place Manchester City, United fell behind in the third minute when Wahbi Khazri’s free kick from out on the left eluded everyone and crept in at the far post.
It will be difficult for us to make the top four now, we know that
Anthony Martial equalised in the 39th minute, but Sunderland took the points when Martial’s attempt to clear Lamine Kone’s header off the line struck goalkeeper De Gea’s arm and rolled into the net.
United fell to a first league defeat on Wearside for 19 years and became the first top-half team that struggling Sunderland have beaten this season in 14 attempts.
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It was United’s seventh league defeat of the season and it will only serve to fuel speculation about the position of their manager Van Gaal, amid reports that the club have approached Jose Mourinho to succeed him.
