Internet Desk: Incredible Zlatan, magnificent Mkhitariyan and a sublime Paul Pogba ensure one of the most memorable Christmas gifts in the Post-Ferguson era in the Theatre of Dreams. It was a return to Old Trafford for former Boss David Moyes and Mourinho’s men produced a clinical performance to present him a frustrating gift on the Boxing Day.
Armenian sensation Henrikh Mkhitariyan probably scored the most attractive goal of the season to do the final icing on the cake. It was true that the substitute was fractionally offside when Zlatan Ibrahimovic crossed from the right, but it was the manner in which the Armenian international improvised with his heel to score that put the gloss on United’s fourth straight league win.
That was their third goal and although a fine finish from Fabio Borini for Sunderland was to come this was United’s day.
In the away dugout was David Moyes for whom a run of four straight league victories in December 2013 marked the high-point of his short Old Trafford reign, a brief respite before the collapse in the following year that cost him his job.
Jose Mourinho now has four league wins in a row for the first time and is unbeaten in domestic football since that 4-0 thumping at Stamford Bridge on Oct 23 that came as such a shock to him.
A first half goal from Daley Blind was the only difference for a long time and Sunderland had played well for a period in the first half until eventually Ibrahimovic and Mkhitaryan scored the goals that finished the game in the last ten minutes.
United got into the swing of it later in the first half. First when Paul Pogba struck a volley just over the bar and then came the breakthrough.
There was a driving run forward from Rojo, and when the ball came to Ibrahimovic he spotted Blind coming up from the back with the time and space to sweep his shot right-footed past Jordan Pickford.
United had a better control of the game after the break although it was not until the 86th minute when Didier N’Dong’s indifferent afternoon ended with a mistake that let in Pogba. He slipped the ball to Ibrahimovic who drew Pickford and scored.
Mkhitaryan’s goal, diving forward and clipping the ball in with his heel was a fine finish, rivalled by Borini’s dipping volley shortly afterwards. United should won by more but for now it will be enough for Mourinho that they are winning.