Sunderland caretaker-manager Kevin Ball has said that his team were punished for failing to take their chances in the first half against Manchester United.

The Black Cats led at the half-time interval at the Stadium of Light thanks to Craig Gardner's fourth-minute goal, but the midfielder should have added to his tally before the break.

A quick second-half brace from Belgian teenager Adnan Januzaj saw the Premier League champions recover to take all three points, leaving the 48-year-old frustrated his side's wastefulness.

"I thought the first half we worked every so well," Ball told Sky Sports News. "I thought we deserved the goal and we had a couple more chances.

"Half time comes but you are aware that the opposition will come out firing in the second half and that is what they did. In the Premier League you need to take your chances."

Sunderland remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League with one point from seven games.