David Moyes' spirit lingered at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon as Sunderland became the latest club to break a long-standing record and claim their first league victory at Manchester United in 46 years.
Sebastian Larsson's first half-volley from Connor Wickham's cross in the was enough on another uninspiring afternoon from the dethroned champions, whose interim manager, Ryan Giggs, suffered his first defeat in charge.
Sunderland's win has condemned Cardiff City and Fulham to relegation, after they lost 3-0 and 4-1 at Newcastle United and Stoke City. The Black Cats are not assured of safety, but with two games remaining should be confident of consolidating their Premier League status ahead of next weekend's final round of fixtures.
Sebastian Larsson is mobbed by teammates after scoring the winner at Old Trafford
Norwich City, who occupy the last relegation spot, travel to Chelsea on Sunday.
United have now lost 12 League games this season - seven of them at home. Giggs' decision to play the shambolic Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick, whose United career is ending similarly to Roger Moore's James Bond era, blunted an attack already hamstrung by the reliably unreliable pairing of Ashley Young and Nani.
Fabio Borini and Emanuele Giaccherini both hit the woodwork in the second 45, while Javier Hernández wasted United's best chance from a Patrice Evra pull-back.
United 0-1 Sunderland
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-SUNDERLAND(01 of30)
Sunderland's Italian striker Fabio Borini (R) vies with Manchester United's English defender Phil Jones (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on May 3, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATESRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-SUNDERLAND(02 of30)
Sunderland's Italian goalkeeper Vito Mannone (R) saves an effort from Manchester United's Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic (C) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on May 3, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATESRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-SUNDERLAND(03 of30)
Sunderland's Italian striker Fabio Borini (L) vies with Manchester United's English defender Phil Jones (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on May 3, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATESRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(04 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Darren Fletcher of Manchester United goes past Sebastian Larsson of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(05 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Danny Welbeck of Manchester United is tackled by Santiago Vergini of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-SUNDERLAND(06 of30)
Manchester United's Welsh caretaker manager Ryan Giggs watches from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on May 3, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATESRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-SUNDERLAND(07 of30)
Sunderland's English midfielder Lee Cattermole (L) puts pressure on Manchester United's Spanish midfielder Juan Mata (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on May 3, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATESRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(08 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Danny Welbeck of Manchester United and Santiago Vergini of Sunderland compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(09 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Juan Mata of Manchester United is challenged by Lee Cattermole of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(10 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Fabio Borini of Sunderland and Phil Jones of Manchester United compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(11 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Adam Johnson of Sunderland and Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(12 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Fabio Borini of Sunderland and Phil Jones of Manchester United compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(13 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Adam Johnson of Sunderland and Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(14 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Adam Johnson of Sunderland and Adnan Januzaj of Manchester United compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(15 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Ryan Giggs the Manchester United interim manager and Gustavo Poyet the Sunderland manager look on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(16 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Danny Welbeck of Manchester United is challenged by Santiago Vergini of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Manchester United's Welsh caretaker manager Ryan Giggs (C) looks on from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on May 3, 2014. Sunderland won 1-0. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATESRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-SUNDERLAND(18 of30)
Sunderland's Uruguayan manager Gus Poyet reacts on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on May 3, 2014. Sunderland won 1-0. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATESRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(19 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Phil Jones of Manchester United shepherds the ball to his goalkeeper David De Gea of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-SUNDERLAND(20 of30)
Manchester United's English striker Danny Welbeck (L) is tackled by Sunderland's Argentinian defender Santiago Vergini (2L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on May 3, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATESRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(21 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Emanuele Giaccherini of Sunderland is challenged by Danny Welbeck of Manchester United during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(22 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Sunderland fans cheer on their team during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-SUNDERLAND(23 of30)
Manchester United's English striker Danny Welbeck (C) tries to surge past Sunderland's Argentinian defender Santiago Vergini (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on May 3, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATESRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-SUNDERLAND(24 of30)
Manchester United's English striker Danny Welbeck (L) is tackled by Sunderland's Argentinian defender Santiago Vergini (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on May 3, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATESRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(25 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Gustavo Poyet the Sunderland manager directs his players as Ryan Giggs the Manchester United interim manager looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(26 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Ryan Giggs the Manchester United interim manager looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-SUNDERLAND(27 of30)
Manchester United's English midfielder Michael Carrick (L) vies with Sunderland's Swedish midfielder Sebastian Larsson (R) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on May 3, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATESRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(28 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson looks on from the stands during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Manchester United v Sunderland - Premier League(29 of30)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Sebastian Larsson #7 of Sunderland is congratulated by teammate John O'Shea (R) after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford on May 3, 2014 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ENG-PR-MAN UTD-SUNDERLAND(30 of30)
Sunderland's Italian goalkeeper Vito Mannone celebrates after Sunderland's Swedish midfielder Sebastian Larsson scored the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on May 3, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATESRESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)