"?Goals from Daley Blind and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, followed by a wonder goal by Henrikh Mkhitaryan secured a fourth successive win for Manchester United at home to Sunderland on Saturday.
Jose Mourinho's team have clicked into gear in recent weeks and they put in another dominant performance, particularly in the second half, to ensure that David Moyes' return to Old Trafford saw the Scot leave empty-handed.
GOAL Man Utd 3-0 Sunderland (86 mins). Wow! Henrikh Mkhitaryan sends in the most improbable backheel volley to put the result beyond doubt
United started brightly, buoyed by three straight wins leading into the match. However, it was Sunderland, having weathered a spell of early home pressure, who had the first clear chance of the game. Victor Anichebe burst through on goal, only to be foiled by David de Gea, before Fabio Borini took an airshot, under pressure from backtracking United defenders, and the chance was gone.
Just as it looked as though Sunderland were gaining a foothold in the match, United broke the deadlock. Marcos Rojo made a burst from deep, finding a pass into the feet of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who laid the ball off for left-back Daley Blind to sweep the ball into the back of Jordan Pickford's net.
Terrific move from United that. Deserved a goal
The goal saw United grow in confidence, and Mata saw a free-kick, that he'd won himself, saved by Pickford right on the stroke of half-time. That momentum carried into the second half as Ibrahimovic was presented with an opportunity to play in Paul Pogba, but woefully underhit the pass.
Pogba, who was the game's outstanding player, did have another chance to get on the scoresheet but failed to keep his header down and should have done better from just outside the six-yard box. Ibrahimovic then blazed another chance high and wide, as United began to turn the screw.
Pogba's running the game here for Manchester United, has had so many chances so far and pulling the strings back in midfield. #MUNSUN
However, frustration and nervousness soon began to permeate from the home crowd, who have seen their side spurn one goal leads on multiple occasions this season. Another miss by Ibrahimovic, who has been on sparkling form in recent weeks but had a poor game, did nothing to calm their nerves.
Despite not having his best afternoon, it was Ibrahimovic who put the game beyond doubt with eight minutes remaining. As Sunderland chased the game, Pogba was allowed to run into acres of space, laying a chance on a plate for the Swede to sweep the ball past the onrushing Pickford.
You may enjoy Mkhitaryan's goal if you watch @BBCMOTD tonight. It's so good they let him off being slightly offside.
However, the moment of the afternoon came from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who was introduced as a second half substitute, as he netted United's third goal of the game. A right-sided cross from Ibrahimovic dropped slightly behind the Armenian, but he conjured a sensational back-heel over his own head to leave Pickford stranded and Old Trafford in raptures. Well worth tuning into Match of the Day tonight for alone.
Fabio Borini netted a late consolation for Sunderland, with a stunning strike who left David de Gea rooted to the spot. However, it was a fourth straight win for United as they look to make up ground on their rivals over the festive period.
Our line up for todays game.??????@ManUtd vs @SunderlandAFC #MUFC #MUFCvSAFC #GGMU pic.twitter.com/0uOVxQthup
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?David Moyes has named his starting XI to face @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/xx65UZEYxD
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