KEEP YOUR HEADS UP

On chances created, United fully deserved their win and it took another incredible man-of-the-match display from Macho to keep the Red Devils at bay for so long.

But the Austrian says the praise he continues to receive has been rendered meaningless by the fact Sunderland have now lost their last three games 2-1 and remain in the drop zone.

Thomas Sorensen returned to the bench after his three-month absence with a dislocated elbow, but he faces an uphill task to dislodge man-of-the-moment Macho, who was stunning at Old Trafford.

But just as at Southampton only five days earlier, Macho and Sunderland's hearts were broken in injury time with late winners for the home side, Paul Scholes heading United's only seconds after the 90 minutes came up.

The keeper said: "I am totally devastated because, again, I thought it was a game we deserved to get something from.

"We battled the whole game and I can't believe we lost like that again.

"I know United had chances, but we played quite well too. We had an effective game plan and we definitely should have got at least one point.

"I was not even looking at the clock because I was concentrating on the game but you know it is late and you are thinking you can still get a point, even when they equalised.

"I'm just like everyone in the team right now. I'm trying to do my best in every game and and I am happy to do well for the team.

"But it means nothing if I play well and we lose. Right now, the result is everything to us."

Sorensen's return to fitness means Macho faces a fresh challenge to retain his place, but he says he's up to the task.

"There is always another challenge and another game," he said. "We have another game against Bolton on Saturday in the FA Cup and we have to keep performances at this level because if we do that the results will start going for us.

"We should not feel sorry for ourselves because there were a lot of positives again.

"We have been unlucky in the last two or three games, so hopefully there is a game coming soon when we will get the luck.

"As for me, I know there is top-class competition, but it is up to the one who has the jersey to keep hold of it and I want to stay in the team as long as possible.

"It's great to have Thomas back because he's outstanding and we want everyone fit and fighting for a place because it keeps everyone on their toes."