Manchester United secured a crucial 2-0 victory over Sunderland at Old Trafford, a result that significantly eased the pressure on manager Ruben Amorim in his 50th game in charge. The win was highlighted by goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko, and a dream debut for new £18.2 million goalkeeper Senne Lammens, whose assured performance earned him a rousing standing ovation from the fans.

Senne Lammens, 23, signed from Royal Antwerp on deadline day, quickly became a fan favorite. Despite a relatively quiet opening 40 minutes, he made crucial interventions, including skillfully tipping Granit Xhaka's effort wide and authoritatively claiming inswinging crosses—actions that had previously challenged goalkeepers Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana. The Stretford End roared with approval, singing “Are you Peter Schmeichel in disguise?” and applauding his command of the area, signaling a collective relief at seeing a goalkeeper confidently manage his box. Lammens, composed with both feet, secured United's first clean sheet of the season, a welcome change after 13 goals conceded in the previous six rounds. His most notable save came late in the game, denying Chemsdine Talbi with his legs.

Mason Mount opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a classy finish, controlling the ball with his left and slotting it in with his right. This marked Mount's first Premier League goal at Old Trafford and was widely considered his best performance for United, earning him a standing ovation upon his second-half substitution. Post-match, Mount affirmed the players were “100% behind the gaffer,” a sentiment Amorim acknowledged but stressed needed to be consistently demonstrated through actions on the pitch.

Benjamin Sesko doubled United’s lead midway through the first half, scoring his second goal in consecutive games and his first in front of the home fans. His goal stemmed from a poacher's finish, following a strategically choreographed long-throw. The match also featured a pivotal VAR incident: Sunderland was initially awarded a penalty just before half-time for a high boot from Sesko on Trai Hume. However, VAR official Neil Davies advised referee Stuart Attwell to review the decision, and replays confirmed no contact, leading to the penalty being overturned to a corner kick—a moment of fortune Amorim might have felt was long overdue.

Ruben Amorim, who had faced intense scrutiny following a disastrous 3-1 defeat at Brentford, made several key lineup changes, including Lammens' debut and Mount's recall, which ultimately paid off. He characterized the team's performance as “adult” and “focused,” emphasizing, “Everyone was focused, not a lot of mistakes, we did well as a group effort.” While the second half saw a less dominant display, United exhibited resilience, fighting for second balls. Amorim acknowledged the team's inconsistency between home and away games but welcomed the much-needed victory.

The win offers Amorim a comparatively quiet international break, though a significantly tougher test awaits immediately after, as United are set to visit Anfield to face champions Liverpool on October 19. Despite the positive debut and the vital win, assessing Lammens' long-term impact remains premature, and Amorim's future continues to be a subject of discussion, particularly given that five of his ten Premier League wins have come against newly-promoted teams. Nonetheless, fans are cautiously optimistic that Lammens could provide a solution to the club’s prolonged goalkeeping challenges.