The Lionesses star sealed victory for Marc Skinner's side late on as the FA Cup holders cruised into the last four
The Red Devils continued their fine form in a dominant 3-1 victory and needed just seven minutes to break the deadlock. Celin Bezit teased her defender down the right and then crossed for Leah Galton to direct a header across goal and into the back of the net.
Galton then turned provider by sending in a cross for Melvine Malard to volley onto the crossbar, before another delivery saw Bezit fire over the bar from close range. A second goal always looked likely and duly arrived just before half-time. Gabby George sent in a corner from the left for Maya Le Tissier to nod home and double the hosts’ lead.
United should have had a third at the start of the second half. Galton picked out Malard again in the box, but she couldn't get her shot away, and then had a sight of goal herself but could only volley wide at the far post after the ball was pinged in from deep.
With his team seemingly in control, Skinner opted to make three changes but could only watch on helplessly as Sunderland pulled one back to set up a tense finish. An attempted clearance by the otherwise excellent Le Tissier smacked off Louise Griffiths and flew past Phallon Tullis-Joyce to make it 2-1 with 20 minutes left to play.
Manchester United responded strongly by racing straight down the other end and ought to have restored their two-goal advantage immediately but substitute Rachel Williams saw her header blocked by goalkeeper Demi Lambourne at point-blank range.
Yet the hosts kept the pressure on and did finally score again in stoppage time to end Sunderland's FA Cup dreams. Bezit once again sent in another inviting ball from the right for Ella Toone to head home and seal victory.
GOAL rates Manchester United's players from Leigh Sports Village…
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Phallon Tullis-Joyce (6/10):
Had a very quiet evening in the United goal and didn't have much to do.
Aoife Mannion (6/10):
Defensively untroubled but didn't offer too much going forwards.
Maya Le Tissier (8/10):
Solid as a rock at the back and one surging run forwards brought the crowd to its feet. Made it 2-0 with a deft header. A little unlucky with the Sunderland goal.
Millie Turner (7/10):
Defended really well and ensured Sunderland had very few sights of goal.
Gabby George (7/10):
Looked eager to get forwards and made a nuisance of herself down the left. Sent in a fine corner for Le Tissier to double United's lead.
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Hinata Miyazawa (7/10):
Always available, kept United ticking over and barely put a pass astray.
Grace Clinton (7/10):
Glided through the match in a classy showing. A cut above the Sunderland midfield.
Ella Toone (8/10)
Was a real handful throughout the 90 minutes and finished Sunderland off with a header in stoppage time.
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Celin Bizet (8/10):
Tormented her defender to set up the opener and should have scored just before half-time but missed by a fraction. Grabbed another assist late on for Toone.
Melvine Malard (6/10):
Had chances to score but hit the woodwork with a volleyed effort in the first half and couldn't get a shot away when well placed just after the break.
Leah Galton (8/10):
Was a real threat down the left and caused all sorts of problems. Clever header for the opener as she stooped to direct the ball low into the far corner.
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Rachel Williams (6/10):
Had a great chance to make it 3-1 but put her header too close to the goalkeeper.
Anna Sandberg (6/10):
Did OK after coming on for the last 20 minutes.
Dominique Janssen (5/10):
Might have done better for the goal as she failed to stop the cross.
Marc Skinner (7/10):
Won't be happy with the goal they conceded but otherwise saw his team put in a controlled showing to maintain their hopes of retaining the FA Cup.