15/09/2014 - ManUtd.com, Adam Marshall
Under-21s: United 4 Sunderland 0
Manchester United's Under-21s*fielded a strong side against Sunderland at Old Trafford and were rewarded with a 4-0 triumph*as Adnan Januzaj bagged a hat-trick.
Lous van Gaal, who attended the clash, perhaps treated the game as more of a traditional Reserves fixture in order to improve the fitness of some of his players. Luke Shaw and Januzaj may still be eligible for this level but their senior status showed as they were joined by Anderson and Will Keane in the starting line-up.
Januzaj took less than two minutes to register a shot into the side-netting following a slide-through pass by Anderson and Maksymilian Stryjek was kept busy by Saidy Janko's cross and a deflected Anderson shot. The powerful Janko smashed a drive off target as a goal seemed increasingly inevitable.
It was supplied in the 19th minute by Januzaj, who was presented with the ball by Stryjek's poor clearance. The Belgian fed Will Keane and, when it was returned to him inside the box, he arrowed home with his left foot.
Andreas Pereira doubled the lead three minutes later when Josh Harrop passed to the overlapping Shaw and his cross from the left was met with instant control and a smart finish*from the Brazil Under-20 international. The Black Cats were in danger of being completely over-run as Will Keane displayed clever hold-up work when found by Shaw and Januzaj profited, illustrating his balance and composure with an assured finish for his second of the night.
Ben Amos had to be alert when Rees Greenwood threatened seconds later but United remained in control with Januzaj twice close to a hat-trick after being picked out splendidly by the rampaging Janko and when lashing into the side-netting following some spellbinding skills.
Amos kept out Carl Lawson's attempt and there was a change at the interval with Ben Pearson replacing Shaw. Although Januzaj and Will Keane had efforts, the sting went out of the Reds' play and Amos was again kept on his toes by Duncan Whatmore.
Anderson was inches away from a fourth when his strike beat Stryjek all ends up but came back off an upright but, to their credit, Sunderland battled on gamely and Liam Agnew was unlucky when firing wide. However, Januzaj had already stung Stryjek's palms when he managed to complete his treble by prodding in from close range*after Marnick Vermijl raided deep into Black Cats territory.
United: Amos; Janko, McNair, Vermijl, Shaw (Pearson 46); Thorpe, Anderson (Rothwell 72), A.Pereira, Harrop; Januzaj (Weir 83), W.Keane. Subs not used O'Hara, Grimshaw.