Reyna generally on the left side of central midfield, partnered with McAteer. Claudio is seeing a lot of Veron and Keane so far. Keane...over the bar from about 20.
14th min.-- Veron misses wide left with a volley from the top of the box... 15th min.-- Keane hits over at the end of a three-man move; Sunderland's defense looking full of holes and gaps already.
Reyna with a bad giveaway, very "slovenly" according to Martin. Keane not exactly marking Reyna, but it's pretty close to man-marking.
This match is United's for the blowout-taking. They're just showing no problems going up through midfield with the ball.
And past the Black Cats' defense, for that matter, too... 22nd min.-- Reyna tests Carroll with said through-ball that goes just beyond Phillips; might just be Sunderland's most threatening move so far...
Ole on a break from a Giggs ball, but loses control, and Sorenson takes it off his boots. O'Shea coming on for Silvestre, it seems. Flo with a shot, goes wide. Sub: O'Shea on for Silvestre, 26'.
25th min.-- Solskjaer runs into the box, but Sorensen saves bravely... 26th min.-- High cross drops kindly for Flo, but the Norwegian striker skies his shot over the top... Man Utd SUB: O'Shea comes on for an injured Silvestre...
Flo tries to turn Rio in the box, can't, but wins a corner. Corner cleared. Sunderland continues to use the aerial route. That, and Piper has the crossing skills of Cobi Jones.
Keane with a big time shooting problem today. Corkscrews his third or fourth shot wide from outside the box. Nice Sunderland break, but Rio clears. 42'.
"An open game," says Martin Tyler-- except Sunderland seem to be doing precious little to try and level the game up... Playing through midfield well, good occasional flank play, but can't get chances in the 18 to save their lives...
Announcers " Reyna's a quality player who controls the midfield for Sunderland. If Sunderland are to get back in the match in the 2nd half its going to have to come from his effort." Or something to that effect. No pressure there.
Young English kid. 19, I think. Will be #4 now in the pecking order with Barthez (when healthy), Ricardo, and Carroll in the mix. Edited to say just turned 20, from Manchester. http://www.manutd.com/bio/bio.sps?iBiographyID=1637
Second half starting soon. After the flow of the first 20 minutes, Sunderland is lucky to only be down one. They evened it out in the second part of the first half, but still didn't look convinving enough. Hoping for better over the next 45.
Phillips does down in the box under Ferdinand, no call. Piper with another chance to cross into the mix, Blanc heads away.