Sunderland 0-1 Manchester United: Statistics & Post-Match Quotes

MUFC PLAYER STATISTICS

* David de Gea (goalkeeper): 6/12 passing (50%), 0 goals conceded, 1 save

* Rafael (right-back | substituted off 33'): 10/15 passing (67%), 0 chances created, 0/1 crosses, 0/0 long balls, 0 successful dribbles, 0 tackles, 1 interception, 3 clearances (1 effective), 0 shots blocked, 0 fouls

* Chris Smalling (right-center-back, right-back): 35/49 passing (71%), 0 chances created, 0/0 crosses, 3/6 long balls, 1 successful dribble, 0 tackles, 2 interceptions, 16 clearances (9 effective), 1 shot blocked, 0 fouls

* Nemanja Vidic (left-center-back): 38/39 passing (97%), 0 chances created, 6/7 long balls, 2 tackles, 1 interceptions, 16 clearances (11 effective), 1 shot blocked, 1 foul

* Alexander Buttner (left-back): 30/41 passing (73%), 0 chances created, 0/2 crosses, 0/2 long balls, 1 successful dribble, 3 tackles, 1 interception, 6 clearances (2 effective), 0 shots blocked, 0 fouls

* Michael Carrick (central-midfield): 83/91 passing (91%), 2 chances created, 1/1 crosses, 2/2 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 1 successful dribble, 1 foul won, 1 tackle, 1 interception, 0 shots

* Anderson (central-midfield | substituted off 84'): 48/58 passing (83%), 1 chance created, 0/0 crosses, 5/7 long balls, 0/1 through balls, 1 successful dribble, 0 fouls won, 3 tackles, 0 interceptions, 0 shots

* Antonio Valencia (right-winger): 34/42 passing (81%), 0 chances created, 1/3 crosses, 1/3 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 2 successful dribbles, 1 foul won, 5 tackles, 0 interceptions, 0 shots

* Ashley Young (left-winger): 51/59 passing (86%), 8 chances created, 3/8 crosses, 0/1 long balls, 0/1 through balls, 1 successful dribble, 2 fouls won, 1 tackle, 0 interceptions, 1 shot (1 on target)

* Shinji Kagawa (central-attacking-midfielder | substituted off 79'): 51/56 passing (91%), 0 chances created, 0/0 crosses, 2/2 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 1 successful dribble, 1 foul won, 2 tackles, 0 interceptions, 1 shot (1 on target)

* Robin van Persie (striker): 21/23 passing (91%), 1 chance created, 1/3 crosses, 2/2 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 4 fouls won, 7 shots (4 on target)

* Jonny Evans (center-back | substituted on 33'): 26/30 passing (87%), 0 chances created, 0/2 long balls, 2 tackles, 4 interceptions, 3 clearances (3 effective), 0 shots blocked, 0 fouls

* Danny Welbeck (striker | substituted on 79'): 13/14 passing (93%), 0 chances created, 0/0 crosses, 0/0 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 0 fouls won, 0 shots

* Tom Cleverley (central-midfield | substituted on 84'): 10/12 passing (83%), 0 chances created, 0/0 crosses, 1/2 long balls, 0/0 through balls, 0 successful dribbles, 0 fouls won, 1 tackle, 0 interceptions, 0 shots

POST-MATCH QUOTES

Sir Alex Ferguson | MUFC manager (courtesy of Sky Sports & MUTV)

(Overall thoughts...) "I thought it was a battling performance by the players. We picked up two or three injuries along the way and courage got us through, particularly in the second half. In the first half we did well. In the second half you have to give credit to Sunderland – they gave it a real go. They had some fantastic crosses into the box which we had to deal with. But our concentration is much better. Early in the season we were losing goals but we’ve got all our defenders back now. Chris Smalling, Phil Jones coming back helps, Jonny Evans, Rio (Ferdinand) and Vida (Nemanja Vidic). Your selection, two from those five, makes it much easier for us."

(On David de Gea going down for a bit in the second-half...) "I thought we had lost David de Gea for a moment, he was out for a few minutes, but he got up and has played a really great part for us."

(On the result and on the title race...) "The players have galvanised themselves. They’ve shown a team spirit and focus in every game. It’s also 25 wins in 30 league games, which is a record, and that’s all down to the efforts of the players. It was an important win."

(On Robin van Persie claiming the goal as his...) "There’s a case for it being an own goal but it was a wicked drive by him. It was a fantastic shot – I don’t know whether it was going in but it was certainly too much for the goalkeeper to handle. Scoring for Holland in the midweek internationals helped him. When strikers don’t score for a few games they think they’re never going to; when they do it can set them off again."

Robin van Persie | MUFC striker (courtesy of Sky Sports)

(On the goal being his rather than a Titus Bramble own-goal...) "Of course, no question about that. I think you could see (I enjoyed it). It's been a while so it was good to score again, and it was an important goal."

(Overall thoughts...) "Today it was all about three points and we got them. We knew before that it was going to be tough; away at Sunderland is always going to be very hard. They work hard and play a game with lots of long balls, second balls and we had to dig in. We did that, everyone fought hard for a deserved win. This team, if you ask me, is just full of winners. Everyone knows what he has to do. I was never in doubt, even if it was still a small score at 1-0. I was always confident we would win this game because of players like Mike (Carrick), Vida (Nemanja Vidic), Chris (Smalling) has been playing really well, Alex (Büttner) just comes in and plays well... everyone knows what he has to do and we did it again."

Michael Carrick | MUFC midfielder (courtesy of Sky Sports)

(On the win at the Stadium of Light -- the scene last season of the Poznan mocking...) "I think they weren't the only fans who enjoyed that, but that was gone and it was all about coming here with something different to win and aim for this time. It was about getting points for us, ticking another one off and keeping the run going, which we did, and we're delighted."

(Overall thoughts...) "I thought we played some very good football first half, controlled the game. We probably didn't have as many goalscoring opportunities as we'd have liked but firmly in control. We knew the second half was going to be different because they're fighting for their lives and we didn't expect it to be easy at all. We defended well, kept together, defended our goal well and we're delighted with the three points."

(On inching closer to the title...) "I suppose we're getting closer because it's one game less and we've won again, but that's all it is. We've still got to go again. We've got another game on Monday and then obviously City next week so we'll keep rolling on.

Martin O'Neill | SAFC manager (courtesy of SAFC TV & Sky Sports)

(Overall thoughts...) "I thought we were tentative in the first half; we were a bit wary of Manchester United and their ability. We got into the game properly in the second half and I must admit the effort shown was fantastic. I’ve taken a lot of heart from that second half performance; we played better against a really good side. Before the game the players may have been apprehensive because of Manchester United’s reputation, but at the break the only thing that separated the two teams was that one goal."

(On if his side can steer clear of relegation...) "Confidence is a major thing in the game and we are striving for it, but I thought the players can take a great deal of confidence from that second-half performance. We have to go and put it right, and we intend to do so. There is a determination in that dressing room to get the points. Nothing is too easy in this game, but we are up for the challenge.

(More on his side's performance...) "The crowd got right behind us and the players put everything into the game. The four players who came in today did very well [Titus Bramble, Phil Bardsley, James McClean, and Alfred N'Diaye]. Overall, I don’t think anyone can fault the effort shown. The second half performance is definitely something to build on as United have been outstanding this season."