Manchester United needed the services of 17-year old Federico Macheda for a second game in a row as they secured a narrow 2-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday.

The defending champions looked far from their best throughout the game and though Wayne Rooney was at the top of his form on the left flank, Sunderland were successful in frustrating the United attack time and again.

Nemanja Vidic came close to breaking the deadlock in the 15th minute when he headed Wayne Rooney's corner but his effort was cleared off the line by Danny Collins. It was not long before the visitors were in front and it was Rooney who created the chance as Paul Scholes headed his cross over keeper Craig Gordon and into the net to put his side ahead in the 19th minute.

Sunderland had a string of decent chances to pull level before half time with Calum Davenport, Djibril Cisse and Kenwyne Jones all going close but were unable to hit the back of the net. At the other end, United almost doubled their lead with Park Ji Sung just hitting wide of the target.

The Black Cats scored a shock equalizer 10 minutes into the second half Teemu Tainio curled in a superb cross for Jones who managed to slot the ball past Ben Foster on the second attempt.

Sunderland were looking dangerous on the break but it was United who had the last laugh when Macheda came off the bench to deflect home Michael Carrick's shot just seconds after coming on the pitch to give his side all three points from the game.