MANCHESTER, England (AP) — New Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens was in the starting lineup for the first time for the Premier League game against Sunderland on Saturday, while $84 million forward Matheus Cunha was dropped.
Following the loss to Brentford last week, coach Ruben Amorim's changes paid off when United won at Old Trafford 2-0 through goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko.
Lammens, a $24.7 million signing from Royal Antwerp on transfer deadline day, kept a clean sheet on debut and earned United's first shut out of the season.
Cunha, a summer signing from Wolves, was named only on the bench against Sunderland, while Amad Diallo and Mount were recalled. Mount responded by giving United an early lead with a goal in the eighth minute.
United's troubled start to the season has increased speculation over Amorim's position. United had lost three of its six league games and was knocked out of the English League Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby.
Victory helped to ease the pressure on Amorim ahead of the international break.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Manchester United's goalkeeper Senne Lammens reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Sunderland at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
Manchester United's goalkeeper Senne Lammens stands on the pitch prior to start of the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Chelsea at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Harrison Barnes scored 24 points, rookie Dylan Harper capped a 22-point performance with a go-ahead driving floater with 9 seconds left, and the San Antonio Spurs recovered from losing a 20-point halftime lead to beat the reeling New Orleans Pelicans 135-132 on Monday night.
Rookie Derik Queen led a furious Pelicans comeback bid, scoring 29 of his season-high 33 points in the second half, and adding 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first NBA triple-double.
De'Aaron Fox, who scored 14 points, hit two free throws with 1.1 seconds left for the final margin, which stood after Saddiq Bey's rushed 3-point shot at the horn bounced off the front rim.
Stephon Castle scored 18 points for San Antonio and Julian Champagnie added 17 points, highlighted by his five 3s.
Both teams' biggest stars — the Spurs' Victor Wembanyama (left calf) and the Pelicans' Zion Williamson (right hip adductor) — watched from the bench. But their teammates provided plenty of entertainment.
Trey Murphy scored 32 for the Pelicans, who stunningly scored 45 points in the third quarter to turn a 20-point deficit into a 102-100 lead heading into the final quarter.
Herb Jones, returning from a right calf injury that sidelined him for eight games, scored 17 points and Bey also scored 17 in New Orleans' seventh straight loss.
The Pelicans opened the second half with an 11-0 run. After Murphy dunked for the third time in the first 6:31 of the third quarter, New Orleans had outscored San Antonio 28-10 and trailed just 87-85.
Queen scored 21 in the period, and his free throws gave the Pelicans a 91-90 lead, their first since the middle of the first quarter.
The Spurs hit 11 3s in the first half, six of them during a 42-point second quarter that gave San Antonio a 77-57 lead at halftime.
The Spurs' first-half point total was their most in any half this season.
Spurs: Visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
Pelicans: Host Portland on Thursday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie reacts after a three-point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) shoots against New Orleans Pelicans center Derik Queen (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) tells center Derik Queen (22) to keep his chin up after he missed a last second shot that would have given the Pelicans the lead in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) reacts after a three-point basket against New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Monday, Dec. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
