SUNDERLAND 1, MAN UNITED 2

ROME was not built in a day . . . but had Federico Macheda been around to take care of the construction work, that might have been different.

In two sub appearances totalling less than 50 minutes, the teenager has single-handedly put the scaffolding around Manchester United's crumbling title monument. This gelled symbol of the Facebook generation specialises in saving face.

The only chatroom Sir Alex Ferguson would know is that inner sanctum in the bowels of Old Trafford where a vintage manager uncorks vintage red.

Click here for more great pictures from Sunderland v Man United

But as his once-untouchables grow increasingly unsteady, Fergie has had to turn to an under-age lucky charm.

This wasn't quite as dramatic as the winner against Aston Villa that took him from social network surfer to back page pin-up. But it wasn't far off.

Click here for Fergie's verdict on Sunderland 1 Man Utd 2

This wasn't as imperious as the turn- and-shot that averted disaster at Old Trafford last Sunday. But it was more impudent.

Macheda had only been on the pitch for 46 seconds when Michael Carrick did his usual impression of a banjo vainly searching for a cow's backside.

The Italian's instinct - honed on the rough streets of a grim Roman suburb - took over and his diversion once again crushed Liverpool's couch-dwellers.

Radios, TV remotes, computers must have crashed against Merseyside walls in unison.

Just when you think United are rocking - when Kenwyne Jones had cancelled out a Paul Scholes header - along comes an unknown Italian kid who must have popped into the Vatican a few times in his formative years.

If Macheda truly is 17 then he must have had the toughest paper round in Rome.

CATS WHISKERS - Kenwyne Jones levels the score

But not only does he have a physicality beyond his years, he has a footballing mentality. He knows where to be and when.

His dreamy story may unfold in even more dramatic fashion as the season charges towards its climax.

But you can bet Ferguson will not allow Macheda to draw a smiling mask over a United face that looks increasingly lined with anxiety.

This was another escape. Not as undeserved as the one against Villa but an escape all the same. The needle on United's fuel tank is dropping sharply towards the red zone - only their well of fortune brims full.

UNITED - Dimi Berbatov and Paul Scholes

And Ferguson will be well aware that far tougher tests lie ahead despite saying: "Today was an important away victory for us. It's a difficult place to come to against a very committed Sunderland team and we can be pleased with that.

"The important thing is we have seven games left now and at this point, it is about counting each game off as they come along." Arsenal, Manchester City even, are unlikely to be cuffed by a cheeky teenager.

In fact, had Sunderland not waited for a quarter of the game to try and rattle Ferguson's team, Macheda might have been performing heroics in vain.

A glance at the team-sheet might have given you the impression that Sunderland were considering an adventurous approach from the very first whistle.

The more naive amongst us spotted a conventional 4-4-2. Instead, it started out as a rather unconventional 8-0-2. If the midfield quartet had dropped any deeper, they would have been in the refreshment kiosk.

Quite simply, United were given a respect their recent performances did not deserve. Age is closing Scholes down quicker than Teemu Tainio and Grant Leadbitter did yesterday.

And they didn't even bother when the 34-year-old took a leisurely jog into the penalty area just as Wayne Rooney was stretching his legs along the touchline.

A routine cross parted Scholes' hair and tucked itself inside the far post before he celebrated with team-mates including Dimitar Berbatov. When I say routine, I mean Rooney routine.

He's the man who makes outrageous ordinary. Rooney can play in so many positions, it's remarkable. He's a one-man footballing Karma Sutra. Yesterday, he didn't just play on the left flank . . . he WAS the left flank.

The only problem came when he turned goalkeeper, although it was not clear whether his yellow card was for the diving stop at the feet of Carlos Edwards just outside the box or the trademark torrent of abuse that flowed Rob Styles' way immediately after.

YELLOW CARD - Wayne Rooney

If Rooney knew as many words as he does positions, he might avoid so many cautions. And how Ferguson needs the England striker to stay out of trouble and on the pitch.

He appears to be the only United player not suffering an identity crisis.

Even Gary Neville mistook himself for Cristiano Ronaldo - an uninterested- looking figure on the bench - when he scampered into the box and promptly flung himself floorwards as soon as he felt Sunderland breath.

The caution from Styles came with a comic touch. Neville's troubles were symptomatic of the unease that is plaguing the champions.

And when Sunderand finally realised that even the dominant can have doubts, they threatened to make it a meaningful contest.

Preferred to Edwin van der Sar - whose record-breaking spell of clean sheets clearly left him forgetting how to make a save - Ben Foster had to produce decent efforts to deny Djibril Cisse and Jones.

He also had to give the post a pat of thanks when Edwards' cross took a late deflection. And without the arm of Rio Ferdiand to link, Nemanja Vidic looks like Torvill without Dean.

He was a bizarre mix of great attacking headers - one hacked off the line - mis-placed back-passes, rash challenges and last-ditch tackles.

OPENER - Paul Scholes celebrates

His game now has everything apart from composure and consistency. Which also applies to United's defence - again in disarray for the Sunderland equaliser.

Tainio's nutmeg and cross took him far too effortlessly to the byline and Jones peeled easily away from static centre-halves.

His point-blank header hit Foster but Jones reacted quickly to shovel in the loose ball. The problem for Sunderland was that Jones clearly considered his afternoon's work over.

United's dubious defence was never again put to the test. And less than a minute after replacing Berbatov - who looked far from match-fit - Macheda instinctively turned a corner flag-bound Carrick shot into a match-winner.

At this rate, the Italian youngster's first start cannot be far away. You'll probably hear about it first on Facebook Understandably, Macheda milked the moment.

But the looks on the faces of Ferguson and Neville at the final whistle suggest they know United cannot continue to rely on a teenager for their title kicks.

• LUCHO GONZALEZ WARNS UNITED
• TEXAN UPS SUNDERLAND STAKE
• FERGUSON WARNS RONALDO

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