Keane falls under the United spell

IN A classic sorcerer versus apprentice contest, Roy Keane fell under the spell of one-time mentor Alex Ferguson. Yet it was Cristiano Ronaldo, ably assisted by Wayne Rooney, who conjured the magic that mesmerised Sunderland and exacerbated the unfolding crisis on Wearside.

The Black Cats, promoted as champions in former United captain Keane’s first season as a manager, yesterday slipped to second bottom in the Premier League and have now won only one of their last 13 games.

They never looked remotely capable of ending that sorry sequence against an imperious United in a match that was effectively over at the interval.

By then, the title-holders were three goals to the good.

Wayne Rooney struck a 20th-minute opener, then set up Louis Saha for the first of his two goals nine minutes later, before Ronaldo capitalised on the sort of free-kick he relishes moments from the break to claim his 17th goal this term.

Saha converted a penalty five minutes from time after Danny Collins had clipped the heels of Nani, but United’s fifth successive league win was already long assured.

Keane conceded: “We’re in a sticky patch and a massive, massive fight. We would like a few more points and I certainly feel we deserve a few more, but that’s the reality of this league.

“We are where we are. The best team will win the league and the three worst will go down, but I believe we’re not one of the three worst teams. I think we’re doing okay. We have lots going for us in terms of spirit and attitude.

“We do need a few more players of real quality, but we can’t build our hopes up too much for January because a lot of clubs are looking for players.

“The fans are going to be vital to us and they were very good again here. I’m not trying to patronise them — I’m sure they are hurting as much as me — but we need them behind the team.”

Keane admitted: “It’s never nice to lose any game, particularly at home, but if you’re going to get beaten 4-0, why not by a very good team?

“I thought we started okay but then gave away two sloppy goals for the first two. If you give Wayne Rooney that type of space he will take it.

“United took their foot off the gas but it’s a very harsh lesson for us. I’ve heard the manager there say the time to judge them is when they back it up with trophies. They clearly have some quality players — there’s no other way of dressing it up.

“The third goal on half-time was the killer blow.

“My money is still on United for the title and nothing has changed that. They will get stronger as the season goes on.”

Keane drew on his own experience — Brian Clough gave him a baptism of fire with Nottingham Forest when he made his senior bow at Anfield — by plunging unknown 17-year-old striker Martyn Waghorn into a first-team debut.

Waghorn, at United as a youngster, has caught Keane’s eye lately, notably when he hit a hat-trick in an FA Youth Cup tie against Norwich. Keane said: “I thought he did very well. He’s a talented kid and we’re delighted with him. If you’re going to make your debut, why not today?’

Sunderland goalkeeper Craig Gordon had to make early saves to deny Ronaldo, from a free-kick, and Nani. Ronaldo’s tricksy then opened up the home defence on the quarter-hour, his back flick finding John O’Shea, who exchanged passes with Nani before crossing low to the near post, where Saha screwed wide.

But Sunderland were soon undone when Wes Brown threaded the ball through for Rooney, who accelerated clear to steer the ball inside Craig Gordon’s near post.

Rooney then played no small part again when he took a pass from Ronaldo on the left and had time to check on to his right foot before curling the ball in for Saha, who finished first time with a deft touch from six yards.

United had it as good as wrapped up after former Old Trafford favourite Dwight Yorke fouled Darren Fletcher and Ronaldo curled the ball in right-footed with Gordon scarcely moving.

Ronaldo was struggling after being caught by Dickson Etuhu early in the second half, but his work was done. Saving a 56th-minute Kenwyne Jones effort that was blocked by a sprawling Kuszczak, it remained comfortable for United and Saha, who scored the only goal when the sides met in September, completed his brace.

Ferguson said: “It was an excellent performance.

“The first goal put us in the driving seat because we knew Sunderland were going through a sticky patch.’

It was Rooney’s first league goal since October, and Ferguson added: “I’ve said before that strikers go on little runs like that and his goals have come in waves.”

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Gordon 7; Whitehead 6, McShane 5, Higginbotham 5, Collins 5; Chopra, 6 (O’Donovan 86, 5), Etuhu 6, Yorke 5 (Richardson 61, 6), Wallace 6 (Leadbitter 46, 5); Waghorn 6, Jones 6.

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-4-2): Kuszczak 7; Brown 7, Ferdinand 7, Vidic 6 (Pique 74, 5), O’Shea 7; Ronaldo 9 (Park 57, 6), Fletcher 6, Carrick 6, Nani 7; Saha 8, Rooney 8.

REFEREE: U Rennie (Sheffield) 7.

MATCH RATING: *** This game underlined the jump in class the Black Cats have yet to make.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United).