Match Day Thread Manchester United FC v Sunderland AFC - Saturday 4th October 2025 - KO 15:00

We’ve been searching for the new Sunderland boo boy and we have a winner …

… step forward Trai Hume!

 

Looks that way dont it? Why can't we just have an off day?
Certain players are absolutely ****e and too slow now apparently.

 

Two things stood out for me. First, we have to able to take our chances.Especially against the more successful clubs in the PL,we aren't going to get many,and it's vital we take them when they arrive....I've banged on here long enough...goals are what will keep us in this league,not simply a well organised defence or fantastic energy and effort. Second, it's my belief that the players were slightly overwhelmed by playing at Man U.....our first match against a so-called big club away this season.....and it dawned on them they are playing at the very top level against one of the biggest clubs in the world. Could have weighed on Hume a bit.....Man U are huge in NI....he would have felt that.
It's a mental thing,and I got the sense from RLB interview that he was slightly frustrated it had happened and I'm sure he will focus on it.

 

Do you have to have contact for a high foot foul to be given , over a number of seasons I have seen fouls given for intent and rightly so . On that basis I feel some clarification is needed , just because it happened in the penalty area is probably why it was not penalised ?

 

Almost kicking someone in the head, at head height, isn't permitted ...

... unless the officials are cowards, simple as that.

We used to call it 'foot up', in Sunday League, and the refs would give a foul.

 

That's true, but 'foot up' would have meant an indirect free-kick (not a penalty).

When you mention 'cowards' above, Smug, you could/should have added 'or cheats'

Either way, the defender was 'nowhere near' the ball, but he did prevent Trai from playing it (by kneeing/fouling him)

 

Hard to drop Hume with Masuaku on the left.

Try him there again maybe? With Gertrude coming in.

I do think of the players playing most on Saturday, he was our worst. Its the in possession stuff that frustrates. Reinildo looks a really rolls Royce in comparison to Masuaku too

 

I have to admit I don't know the rulings on free kicks, but in my eyes it was reckless play all day long.

 

I personally think hes struggled and have said I think he's adjusting to the league. Hardly a boo boy ffs

 

I was speaking generally, no need to take it personally.

 

Yep, that's what I thought at the time.

I didn't think it was a penalty as there was no intention to kick him in the head ...

... if there was it would be a penalty anywhere in the box.

If there's a similar foul this week, I'll absolutely guarantee a free kick will be given, anywhere else on the pitch, for a deliberate kick at the ball that close to an opponent.

It was a foul whether or not contact was made.

 

Adingra has been the biggest disappointment so far for me. Looks so lightweight and lacking in anything really. Obviously early doors but not been overly impressed so far. It will be interesting to see a fit and firing mundle competing for that place

 

I love trai Hume, an absolutely fantastic competitor and great signing, but he has seemed a bit suspect in the last couple of games and maybe his place isn't secure. We have mukele and the Dutch guy who can play there and you wonder if he'll keep his place

 

Yeah Adingra is a slow burner so far, like Mayenda was hopefully. Shown his ability in flashes - creating chances and having decent attempts on goal so you can see he's good player. Might need some time to settle in the area or something like that.

 

For the moment I’m seeing this as a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy tbh.

As with O’Nien people have been predicting his failure to step up for so long they're expecting to be proved correct.

I’m not saying you fit into that category but there seems to be quite a ‘told you so’ vibe going around. I’ve only looked at one set of players ratings but Hume was higher than Ballard.

It’s irrelevant of course, everyone has their own opinions on players.