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By Andrew McKenzie
BBC Sport at Old Trafford |
 Vidic celebrates his last-gasp winner against Sunderland
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Nemanja Vidic scored in injury time to hand Manchester United a victory against managerless Sunderland.
The Wearsiders looked set to earn a stunning point after a desperate defensive effort until defender Vidic tapped in after Michael Carrick had hit the post.
Sunderland keeper Marton Fulop was in inspired form and United missed a string of chances as they dominated throughout.
Dimitar Berbatov headed over and Anderson was denied by a last-ditch challenge before Vidic saved the day.
His goal came as United looked set to fall further behind their title rivals as they headed for a rare goalless draw at Old Trafford.
The three points will come as huge relief to Sir Alex Ferguson, who watched on from the stands as he completed his touchline ban.
He will have looked on for much of it in utter frustration as Sunderland came with damage limitation in mind after a week in which they lost manager Roy Keane.
They will feel aggrieved at failing to take a point that would have seen them climb out of the relegation zone.
But caretaker manager Ricky Sbragia will also be warmed by the spirit that was clearly missing against Bolton last week, which proved to be Keane's last game.
They were also indebted to Fulop, who came in for the injured Craig Gordon in one of four changes.
He was soon called into action as he denied Berbatov after a neat flick from Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo had started off the game with the intention on marking a week in which he was named Ballon d'Or trophy with a star-studded performance, but ended it midway through the second half as he walked off injured.
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Ronaldo almost stabbed in from close range after a corner was misjudged by everyone.
Wayne Rooney volleyed wide and some slack play from ex-United star Dwight Yorke let in Park only for Fulop to come out swiftly to smother out the danger.
Darren Fletcher twice threatened either side of half-time, but just failed to find the target with either effort.
Rooney again went close and Carrick had a low shot which Fulop got down to keep out and then up quickly to gather.
Sunderland were close to a goal completely against the run of play when Diouf escaped down the left and his centre almost deceived Edwin van der Sar, who made use of his legs to keep it out.
The United fans, who had seen their side put five past Blackburn in midweek, became increasingly agitated at the lack of goals but the chances continued to come.
Berbatov missed a glorious headed chance from a pinpoint Carrick cross and substitute Tevez dragged just wide after being set-up by Rooney.
Teemu Tainio threw his body in to block an Anderson effort as United's luck appeared to have run out.
But as Sunderland began to sniff a potential winner United went forward and when Carrick's shot came back off the post, Vidic was in the right spot to send the home fans home happy.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Park (Tevez 57), Fletcher (Anderson 68), Carrick, Ronaldo (Giggs 68), Berbatov, Rooney.
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Neville, Nani, Evans.
Booked: Rooney.
Goals: Vidic 90.
Sunderland: Fulop, Chimbonda, Ferdinand, Collins, Bardsley, Yorke (Tainio 60), Malbranque, Whitehead (Edwards 76), Reid, Diouf, Cisse (Jones 69).
Subs Not Used: Colgan, Nosworthy, Murphy, Leadbitter.
Att: 75,400
Ref: Mark Halsey (Lancashire).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Sunderland's Marton Fulop 6.94 (on 90 minutes).
Please note that you can still give the players marks out of 10 on BBC Sport's Player Rater after the match has finished.
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