Dick Advocaat blasts Adam Johnson and others after defeat by Manchester United leaves Black Cats rooted at the bottom

  • Sunderland still without a Premier League win this term after seven games 
  • Adam Johnson was substituted at half-time in defeat to Manchester United
  • Boss Dick Advocaat slammed the winger in the 3-0 reverse at Old Trafford
  • Sunderland have just two points and look set for another relegation scrap 

England winger Adam Johnson bore the brunt of Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat's frustration after a 3-0 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday left them winless in the Premier League this season.

Johnson was hauled off at half-time by Advocaat who was frustrated by his side's defending and by their inability to keep hold of possession.

'Every ball he touched was wrong,' explained the Dutchman after sending on Steven Fletcher in his place. 'Plus the fact that Fabio Borini, our striker, had problems to keep the ball. That is why I brought on Fletcher.

Adam Johnson bore the brunt of Dick Advocaat's frustration after a 3-0 defeat at Manchester United

Adam Johnson bore the brunt of Dick Advocaat's frustration after a 3-0 defeat at Manchester United

The Dutchman replaced Johnson at half-time and replaced him with Steven Fletcher in a tactical change

The Dutchman replaced Johnson at half-time and replaced him with Steven Fletcher in a tactical change

Johnson was hauled off at half-time by Advocaat who was frustrated by his side's defending at Old Trafford

Johnson was hauled off at half-time by Advocaat who was frustrated by his side's defending at Old Trafford

Advocaat is a hugely-experienced coach but it seems as if he is losing patience with some of his more individualistic forwards, particularly Johnson, Borini and Jermain Defoe who was left on the bench.

'We can't just keep saying we have a lot of games left and saying the same things after matches.I have to think how we are going to improve. How to change things in the squad is what I have to think about. But I haven't got so many options.'

Sunderland have just two points from seven games and face another relegation scrap after last season's great escape which Advocaat masterminded and was then persuaded, eventually, to stay on.

He didn't spare his defence criticism either. Sunderland conceded the opening goal in the third minute of injury-time at the end of the first half when Juan Mata was allowed to move on a long ball from Daley Blind into the path of Memphis Depay to score.

Memphis Depay, Juan Mata and Rooney celebrate United's opening goal in first-half stoppage time

Memphis Depay, Juan Mata and Rooney celebrate United's opening goal in first-half stoppage time

Wayne Rooney ended his goal drought to double his side's advantage against the Black Cats on Saturday

Wayne Rooney ended his goal drought to double his side's advantage against the Black Cats on Saturday

The Sunderland defence struggled to contain a vibrant attacking line up fielded by Louis van Gaal

The Sunderland defence struggled to contain a vibrant attacking line up fielded by Louis van Gaal

'The team was organised OK in the first half and we tried to hurt United at the other end as well. But the mistake we made for the fist goal, you are asking for problems.

'It was just a long ball, (Patrick) van Aanholt is watching his own man, Lee (Cattermole) had a good game but he wasn't close enough. From that distance, you can not let the ball go.

'That was a mistake. The second goal was the same. Too easy, the third the same. Then you lose 3-0. I can accept losing but we made it very easy for them.'

 

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