Ordinary.  That is what Manchester United have become. 

For long spells Louis Van Gaal’s side looked like a team at odds with themselves and the system they are being asked to play by their new manager and this laboured draw against an energetic, well organised Sunderland side will have done nothing to restore the confidence “smashed” by an opening-day defeat to Swansea. 

For only a brief, five-minute spell early in the second half did they look better than Sunderland who will feel a little aggrieved not to have come away from with all three points themselves.

Several unforced errors by the visitors meant that first Connor Wickham and then Lee Cattermole went close to opening the scoring. 

However, it was United who took the lead on 17 minutes from their first positive contribution of the match. Antonio Valencia evaded the attention of Patrick van Aanholt on the left and his cross was tucked home by Juan Mata who snuck in between Sebastian Larsson and Santiago Vergini at the far post for a goal that came totally against the run of play.

If van Gaal had hoped the goal would rebuild some confidence it was in vain. 

United failed to build on their advantage and on the half-hour mark the marauding Will Buckley forced a corner. 

Jack Rodwell lost his marker, Valencia, to head home Larsson’s cross for a goal on his League debut for the Black Cats.

It was a deserved equaliser and all too easy for Gus Poyet’s side who nearly took the lead just after the break as another defensive error let in Wickham but his connection was weak and the danger cleared. 

United then enjoyed their best spell of the match. Mata, forcing a corner off Wes Brown before Vito Mannone, had to be quick off his line after Mata and Van Persie linked well in the box. 

Minutes later the Dutchman was floored by a challenge from Vergini, but referee Martin Atkinson waved away appeals for a penalty before booking Ashley Young for a dive in the box. 

Again they could not capitalise and as the clock ticked down it was Sunderland who looked the most likely to grab a late winner.