NEMANJA VIDIC was Manchester United's last-gasp hero at Old Trafford.
The super Serbian defender crashed home a close-range winner in injury time to keep United hot on the heels of Liverpool and Chelsea.
It looked like managerless Sunderland would snatch a point after soaking up everything United threw at them.
Roy Keane, who quit as boss on Thursday, would have been proud of the rearguard action.
But after Michael Carrick's 25-yard drive beat Martin Fulop and crashed back off a post, Vidic pounced to send the home fans wild.
United boss Alex Ferguson was pleased his decision to play Vidic as an emergency striker for the final few minutes paid off.
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Park (Tevez 57), Fletcher (Anderson 68), Carrick, Ronaldo (Giggs 68), Berbatov, Rooney. Subs not used: Kuszczak, Neville, Nani, Evans. Booked: Rooney. Goals: Vidic 90.
Sunderland: Fulop, Chimbonda, Ferdinand, Collins, Bardsley, Yorke (Tainio 60), Malbranque, Whitehead (Edwards 76), Reid, Diouf, Cisse (Jones 69). Subs not used: Colgan, Nosworthy, Murphy, Leadbitter.
