Sunderland fullback Phil Bardsley says Manchester United didn't appear to be flagging after suffering defeat at the hands of his old club.

"I certainly wasn't under the impression we were playing against a struggling team," Bardsley said.

As a son of Salford, a former player at Old Trafford and still a supporter of the club, Bardsley is familiar with the process.

"No one should be worried if they're not playing their best football of the season," he said. "Their big players just roll their sleeves up. Rather than having a wobble, it's a sign of a great team that they're winning games like this one and Aston Villa.

"We have seen so many late goals for United over the years and they have been up to their old tricks again in the last few weeks. That just goes to show what a side they are. The manager seems to keep producing player after player and team after team. You wonder how, but he keeps doing it. Credit to him for showing faith in the new lad."