MAN UNITED 3, SUNDERLAND 1
David Moyes had a miserable return to Old Trafford as Manchester United defeated Sunderland to extend their unbeaten run to 11 games.
The former United manager, who endured a difficult 10 months as United manager, was unable to halt Reds’ recent revival, though this was only the second time in the Premier League era that United found themselves outside the top five at Christmas.
But though it was a workmanlike display by United, they were too strong for a Sunderland side that had eight players injured while Adnan Januzaj was unable to play against his parent club.
Goals from Daley Blind, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Ibrahimovic earned United three points in their pursuit of a top-four place.
It was Ibrahimovic’s 50th goal of the calendar year as he equalled his total of 2012. And it was his 17th goal for the Reds and he also provided his first two assists for the club.
And United manager Jose Mourinho added that Ibrahimovic, who had scored 11 goals in his last 10 days, will be staying at Old Trafford for the 2017/18 season.
Though no clause in his contract has been activated, Mourinho says it has been in the player’s head as well as in his mind and that of the club’s owners.
Mourinho was unhappy with United first-half display saying he expected them to start better than they did.
He added United had more intensity to their play in the second half, they won the ball higher up the pitch and showed great creativity.
Mourinho added having Anthony Martial and Mkhitaryan on the bench was important as he brought them on with Sunderland tiring.
“Our second half performance was good and we deserved our victory, no doubt,” he said.
Mourinho was pleased for Mkhitaryan to return with a goal after injury.
“I will have to see the goal again, but it looked phenomenal, and it was good to scored it in front of the Stretford End. He played with enthusiasm and it was important for him,” he said.
Mourinho added United have been playing well for some time, but only now are getting the results – this was their fourth straight win in the league.
“Against Burnley we were phenomenal and played better than today, but didn’t win that game,” he explained.
United made two changes from the side that started their last game at West Brom, though Wayne Rooney’s absence was injury enforced.
Rooney and Matteo Darmian made way for Juan Mata and Blind who came into the side.
There was a lengthy stoppage early on after Black Cats’ striker Victor Anichebe fell awkwardly after an aerial challenge with Phil Jones.
Anichebe received treatment for several minutes to a shoulder injury, but was able to continue.
The game exploded to life after 20 minutes when Blind was booked for hauling down Anichebe on the edge of the box and Patrick van Aanholt’s free kick was superbly saved by David De Gea.
United then had a shout for a penalty waves away after Mata was shoulder charged off the ball in the box by Lamine Kone.
Black Cats keeper Jordan Pickford then pulled off a super stop to turn Paul Pogba’s curled effort from outside the box on to the upright.
Sunderland went close following a scramble in the box as Anichebe and Fabio Borini both had shots blocked as Sunderland were more than matching their opponents.
Pog went close for a second time as his shot from 20 yards dipped just over following a poor headed clearance by Papy Djilobodji.
The breakthrough came after 39 minutes through an unlikely source, left-back Blind. Ibrahimovic provided the lay off and Blind, from the left of the box, fired low into the far corner of the net. It was his first goal of the season and fifth for the club.
United also had another shout for a spot kick rejected after Ibrahimovic went down in the box after a challenge by Kone.
And in stoppage time United had two good chances to extend their lead as Pogba and Mata were both denied by the excellent Pickford.
Pogba was enduring a frustrating afternoon as he went close yet again early in the second half heading narrowly over from an Ander Herrera cross.
Mata then released Ibrahimovic who blazed over when he ought to have hit the target.
United made their first change in the 62nd minute when Jesse Lingard was replaced by Mkhitaryan.
And the Armenian captain almost made an immedate impact curling a shot narrowly wide from a Mata cross.
Mkhitaryan then released Ibrahimovic whose effort was brilliantly kept out by the legs of Pickford.
Anthony Martial replaced Mata after 74 minutes, United’s second substitution.
United sealed victory with eight minutes left when Pogba intercepted a pass from Didier N’Dong in midfield before releasing Ibrahimovic who raced clear before slotting a shot low past Pickord.
Marouane Fellaini came on for Herrera with six minutes left, United’s third and final change.
United made it 3-0 through a wonderful goal. Sunderland again carelessly gave away possession in midfield and Ibrahimovic was released on the right and his cross was converted by Mkhitaryan with an audacious back heel over Pickford, though replays showed he was marginally offside. It was, however, a terrific finish.
Sunderland scored a consolation goal in the 90th minute through Fabio Borini.
Jason Denanyer’s cross was headed out by Marcos Rojo and Borini found the net with a sweetly struck shot from 25 yards.
United almost scored a fourth goal in stoppage time when Mkhitaryan was brought down by Kone as he burst clear. Kone was booked when it could easily have been red.
Ibrahimovic struck a low free kick that was was well kept out by Pickford.