Just two starts suggest Sunderland pulled off daylight robbery with £5m Paddy McNair deal

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This summer, Sunderland were under pressure to make some money and reduce their wage bill following relegation to League One. One player that soon became dispensable was Irish utility star, Paddy McNair.

One of their better players over the past two desperate seasons, the 23-year-old was swiftly targeted by a number of Championship clubs.

In the end, he made the small step from Wearside to Teesside. He joined Middlesbrough in a deal reported by the Daily Mail to be in the region of £5 million.

It was a move that Sunderland fans were disappointed to see. Not many of the players at Sunderland over the past two seasons were likely to be missed, but McNair might have just been the exception.

However, judging by the start to life he has suffered at the Riverside Stadium, Sunderland will be pleased with the deal.

The fact is the club needed the money and McNair is not exactly rubbing it in their face with Tony Pulis’ side.

He has started just two games in the Championship this season, finding a new role as a right wing-back. However, in both games, he was subbed off and has clearly not won over his new manager.

Sunderland will be very pleased with how they invested that £5 million and will not feel like McNair is proving much of a point in the Championship.