Federico Macheda saves the day for Manchester United

Federico Macheda is: "One of the players recounted that he attempted it, side-footed it as it came to him. He has got good movement and speed and he's not fazed by anything. "
Macheda, or Kiko as he is known, is moving in select circles now. Before kick-off he was included in an exclusive game of head tennis with Cristiano Ronaldo, Patrice Evra, Nani and Anderson. In the dressing room politics of Old Trafford, that is the terrifically.

While Federico Macheda can do no inaccurate in a United shirt, the same can't be said of his new patron. Ronaldo was rested here after taking on Alex Ferguson's displeasure for giving the ball too much against Porto in the week. He remains United's most virile attacking player but his perspective is starting to become a problem - maybe this demotion will refresh his hunger for the competition.

There had been lots of that for Sunderland, who played with superb commitment between the first concession and the second. They haven't won in 7 games but this was a huge improvement in performance, the team driven on by the fantastic Phil Bardsley, captain against his previous club. Whilst they beat badly, there had been lots of anticipation to draw from this for Sbragia, going into their 6 decisive games.

The Britain striker cut within and chipped in a cross that Paul Scholes guided into the top corner with a lovable header - it had been a goal paying homage to his early-career soars into the box. Only two mins before the goal Danny Collins had blocked Nemanaja Vidic's headed effort on the line and it had looked ominous for Sbragia's men. Their crisp approach play sliced out a sequence of good first-half probabilities, Kenwyne Jones and Calum Davenport going close.

They appeared to have got the equaliser 5 mins before the break, but Carlos Edwards' cross deflected off Vidic and came back off the post.
Ten mins into the second half and Teemu Tainio got down the left and sent in a cross the lured Ben Foster off his line.

The United goalkeeper missed it though and Jones headed it against Jonny Evans at the far post, the ball dropping back to the off-balance striker who flicked it into the net with the exterior of his boot. The sole disadvantage for Kiko is that he will not now play enough games to earn a Premier League gong - though his twin contributions may well turn out to once have been decisive.