Borini – who played the opening two games of his second Sunderland spell out wide – produced an encouraging performance in the 4-1 defeat, with the Italian unfortunate to see a goal ruled out. “This game was 3-0, we have to think about that”.
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“If you bring in new players you have to start as quickly as possible to find out your options”.
The Red Devils had 61% of first-half possession, but it felt like more.
“But you can only make it easier for yourself and the team by winning games”.
Unfortunately Old Trafford does not present a happy hunting ground for Sunderland, nor does it for many teams.
The Black Cats were all set to go into the break having kept United at bay, until a soft goal conceded to Memphis Depay deep into stoppage time gave the home side the lead. How Dick Advocaat must be hoping for a repeat.
Advocaat has been encouraged by the reception he has received from the man in the street during the frustrating start, with the supporters knowing all about his pedigree and his managerial CV after years managing at the highest level.
One small consolation is that he claims to have lost only one of nine direct meetings with fellow Dutchman and United manager Louis van Gaal.
With the defence clearly the worst of Advocaat’s worries, as the partnership of Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Coates continues to be the worst of the lot, Sunderland look set to recall 35-year-old Wes Brown to the starting line-up for the first time this season. In fact, the last one of the two to hold the upperhand was Advocaat way back in 1997, as PSV Eindhoven defeated Ajax. “We need to go there and really work as a team”.
“Last season doesn’t count anymore – and I did a good job by the way”.
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“He was over-enthusiastic in the first few games”, added Advocaat.
