Sunderland were denied a rare win over Manchester United as visiting keeper Senne Lammens and the frame of the goal combined to keep the hosts at bay at the Stadium of Light.

Noah Sadiki wasted Sunderland's best chance when he ran clear in the opening minutes.

Lammens came out on top on that occasion, before the Belgian bravely dashed out to save at Brian Brobbey's feet and then keep out another effort from the Dutchman in the second half.

Brobbey also set up Lutsharel Geertruida in the final stages, but his effort from the edge of the area thudded against the foot of a post.

It was harsh on Sunderland, on a day when Manchester United showed five changes to the side that beat Liverpool last week and toiled without veteran midfielder Casemiro.

They were threatening not to have a shot on target in a Premier League game for the first time since January 2015 until Matheus Cunha's injury-time effort was saved by Robin Roefs.

Victory would have been only Sunderland's fourth against United in their past 34 Premier League games, although at least they were able to avoid a 25th defeat in that time.

Manager Regis le Bris might also have had a legitimate complaint that former Sunderland loanee Amad Diallo handled in the home box during the first half, but video assistant referee (VAR) Peter Bankes backed up Stuart Attwell's on-pitch decision to wave play on.

Casemiro has received a huge amount of praise for his performances this season.

Manchester United's fans have taken to chanting "one more year" in the hope the Brazilian would extend his stay at Old Trafford.

It won't happen. His absence this afternoon means an appearance clause that would have triggered an extra year in his contract will not have been met, even if it had not been mutually agreed to remove it, and Casemiro will leave at the end of the season.

United have made strengthening central midfield a number one priority in the summer and this performance emphasised why.

Kobbie Mainoo has shown his class since Michael Carrick took over and Mason Mount is an astute schemer and a danger in attack.

However, neither read a game like Casemiro - they don't sense danger in the same way, nor do they dictate the flow of a match.

It meant the visitors were not able to keep possession and build pressure, and frequently found themselves exposed to a Sunderland attack that would have profited had they been either more clinical or not found Lammens on top form.

It remains to be seen exactly how many players United bring in this summer, but two midfielders seems a minimum requirement. A lack of creativity when skipper Bruno Fernandes is off form was also evident given it took so long to threaten the Sunderland goal.

If any side deserved to win, it was Sunderland.

Le Bris' side have now kept 11 clean sheets - an impressive return for a newly promoted side, and a major reason why they have stayed well clear of relegation trouble and even flirted with the European spots. On this occasion, they deserve more praise because key man Dan Ballard was missing through suspension.

What they lack is a clinical edge.

Geertruida's shot was impressive, but it was Sadiki who should have scored.

The game was still in its infancy when the United goal gaped in front of him. But he never truly looked as though he would come out on top in his one-to-one duel with Lammens. Sadiki tried to find the corner, but Lammens read where the Congo international was going to go.

For the final couple of weeks, Sunderland's ambition will be to finish above Newcastle, who are three points behind with a game in hand.

After that, Le Bris will look to improve on what has been a solid and very successful top flight return.

Manchester United entertain Nottingham Forest in their final home game of the season at Old Trafford on Sunday, 17 May (12:30 BST). Sunderland's last away outing of the campaign is on the same day at Everton (15:00 BST).