Tore Andre Flo immediately repayed a slice of his club record seven million pound fee when he marked his Sunderland debut with a point saver in an explosive encounter at the Stadium Of Light.
The game erupted inm the final minutes as Manchester United skipper Roy Keane was sent off by referee Uriah Rennie for elbowing Sunderland midfielder Jason McAteer in the face.
It was a second half which also witnessed bookings for Phil Neville, David Beckham and McAteer himself.
Norway striker Flo, whose deadline beating move from Rangers was completed only 24 hours before the game, levelled on the 71st minute after Ryan Giggs had handed Manchester United a deserved half time lead.
Welsh wizard Giggs cast his spell over Sunderland yet again - he scored in Manchester United's 3 - 1 win here last season - when he drilled home a left foot drive after only 7 minutes.
But in the second period former Chelsea star Flo completed a hatrick of sorts when he scored on his debut for his third British club.
Read more about Sunderland here.
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