Sunderland vs Man United Ends Goalless as Both Sides Struggle for Spark

Sunderland held by Man United as Lammens saves deny Black Cats

Man United managed just one shot on target in a forgettable 0-0 draw, leaving Sunderland frustrated and all but out of the race for Europe.

Noah Sadiki and Brian Brobbey went close but Senne Lammens stood firm as Sunderland and Manchester United played out a 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light...

Sunderland’s European hopes are effectively over after a forgettable 0-0 draw with Manchester United. The result stretched the Black Cats’ winless Premier League run against teams starting the day in the top four to 29 matches.

With neither side chasing much more than league position in the final three weeks, the game had the feel of an end-of-season dead rubber. Sunderland didn’t seem to get that memo early on though. They carved out a clear chance within 10 minutes when a slick one-touch move played Noah Sadiki through, but Senne Lammens made a sharp low save to his right to deny the DR Congo forward a first Premier League goal.

⚖️@SunderlandAFC hold @ManUtd to a draw at the Stadium of Light 🤝

It's the first time Man Utd have failed to score since Michael Carrick's return! pic.twitter.com/FI1hVTJvGw

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 9, 2026

Sunderland were frustrated midway through the first half when they thought they should have had a penalty after Le Fée’s shot struck Amad Diallo’s outstretched arm. Referee Stuart Attwell waved play on, and VAR agreed there was no case for a spot-kick.

The hosts did most of the attacking before the break, going close again through Brian Brobbey and Sadiki. United’s best moment came when Joshua Zirkzee headed over from Matheus Cunha’s cross, giving Michael Carrick plenty to think about at half-time.

Matheus Cunha’s wild effort over the bar minutes after the restart summed up United’s struggles. Things nearly got worse for them just after the hour mark.

Le Fee found Brobbey in the box again, but the striker’s low left-footed shot was well saved by Lammens.

Lammens was beaten moments later when Brobbey laid it off to Lutsharel Geertruida, whose strike cannoned off the post as United came under increasing pressure.

A dominant display from Senne Lammens 🧤

🔴 @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/IKcAEjr5NC

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 9, 2026

Michael Carrick brought Bryan Mbeumo off the bench late on to try and spark a fourth straight win, but the Cameroonian barely made an impact. Manchester United managed just one shot on target all game, and it didn’t arrive until second-half stoppage time when Cunha forced a save.

A draw isn’t a bad result for United, who are still well placed to secure third with two games to go. For Sunderland, though, the point all but ends any realistic hope of a late push for Europe.