It was billed as the "chosen one" up against the "special one"--or perhaps the "happy one" as Mourinho might call himself-- Moyes chosen to carry on the legacy left by the great Sir Alex Ferguson, failing spectacularly, and enroute Giggs and Van Gaal, Mourinho brought to exorcise the problematic demons haunting united in the post-Ferguson years. But the gulf in quality and organisation of both sides, highlighted the strides United have made under Mourinho, and the lack of it in Moyes' s reign.
It was an unhappy return to Old Trafford for David Moyes as his Sunderland side were comprehensively beaten.
On a bright boxing day afternoon, United's punches and hooks floored Sunderland one time too many. The combo was scintillating. How lethal it was. Fast and furious, indeed it was spectacular. Three goals, three points, four wins on the bounce in the Premier League, United are looking right in red. Daley Blind opened scoring in the first half, Ibrahimovic and Mkhitaryan added gloss to the scoreline after the restart, in truth the full-time 3-0 scoreline flattered Sunderland. Such was Manchester United's dominance.
Daley Blind opened scoring for Manchester United in the first half.
His cleanly struck left-footed strike found the bottom right-hand corner of the goal
From the outset, United flew out of the traps. Keeping possession, delightful passing, slick interchanges, flicks, skills, it was beautiful. Pogba went close in the fifth minute, denied by a smart stop from Pickford in the Sunderland goal. If anything it was a sign of things to come. Rojo was next, letting fly from 25 yards, but failing to trouble Pickford. United were knocking, Sunderland were defiant, just about keeping the door shut.
Surprisingly, against the run of play, the away side could have nudged themselves in front. De Gea making a fantastic stop from a Van Aanholt swerving free-kick. But it was a rare sniff of goal for the visitors. After United s penalty appeals for a Lamine Kone barge on Mata, Pogba's curling shot hit the post, with Pickford beaten all hands up. But the ball won't go in. It seemed like a script of one of those bad luck stories for United. Pummeling the Black cats, United went all out still. Sunderland retreated.
Surrendering seemed only a matter of time. And six minutes before the break, they were floored. United broke through midfield, Ibrahimovic on the edge of the box held the ball up brilliantly, and slipped in Blind, darting from the back into the area. One touch, the defender took it in his stride, second touch the net rippled. It was a striker's finish. Sunderland's bubble burst, the wind taken from their sails, and United coasted forward. The Red Devils smelled blood, they wanted more. Further chances for Mata and Pogba went begging, Sunderland were praying for the halftime whistle to sound, they were on the ropes. Halftime 1-0 . But this was no ordinary 1-nil scoreline. It was a 1-0 hammering. A raid.
Surrendering seemed only a matter of time. And six minutes before the break, they were floored. United broke through midfield, Ibrahimovic on the edge of the box held the ball up brilliantly, and slipped in Blind, darting from the back into the area. One touch, the defender took it in his stride, second touch the net rippled. It was a striker's finish. Sunderland's bubble burst, the wind taken from their sails, and United coasted forward. The Red Devils smelled blood, they wanted more. Further chances for Mata and Pogba went begging, Sunderland were praying for the halftime whistle to sound, they were on the ropes. Halftime 1-0 . But this was no ordinary 1-nil scoreline. It was a 1-0 hammering. A raid.
In the second period, the raid approached fever pitch. The red Devils needing a second goal to kill off the game went on the offensive, the black cats simply had nowhere to hide. Backed by a vociferous home support, United created chance after chance. A poor Ibrahimovic pass saw a golden two on one chance go begging, his pass just being slightly underhit, behind the advancing Paul Pogba. Next up a lovely through ball from Mata sent Ibrahimovic in on goal, but he lashed his shot over.
As the match progressed, only a last ditch tackle from Sunderland defender Papy Djilobodji prevented Ibrahimovic pulling the trigger, after a brilliant rum from Jese Lingard. Mourinho sent on Mkhitaryan and Martial in place of Lingard and Mata, while the onslaught on the visitors goal continued. Mata and ibrahimovic again failed to convert telling opportunities--the latter seeing an effort saved, after being set up by Mkhitaryan, and going one-on-one against goalkeeper Pickford In the Sunderland goal.
As the match progressed, only a last ditch tackle from Sunderland defender Papy Djilobodji prevented Ibrahimovic pulling the trigger, after a brilliant rum from Jese Lingard. Mourinho sent on Mkhitaryan and Martial in place of Lingard and Mata, while the onslaught on the visitors goal continued. Mata and ibrahimovic again failed to convert telling opportunities--the latter seeing an effort saved, after being set up by Mkhitaryan, and going one-on-one against goalkeeper Pickford In the Sunderland goal.
Ibrahimovic roars in delight as his goal gave United a two goal cushion
The plethora of chances created by United was testament to the awesomeness of their attacking flair. The passing in triangles left Sunderland's midfielders seeing stars. The high pressing led by the reborn Ander Herrera left the visitors rattled and bereft of ideas. United exuded confidence, Pogba played 50-yard passes, with the drop of a hat, he strut his stuff cool and calm as you like with unerring swagger. Carrick controlled the midfield like a bandleader leading an orchestra. His team mates marvelled in the tune. Ibrahimovic slalomed gracefully through the pitch, awesome to behold, his link up play too good to be true. It was only fitting that he doubled United's lead, putting the game to bed.
Good pressure from Paul Pogba saw him seize upon a poor pass in midfield in the 82nd minute. He drove forward. Setting intent to purpose, he had Ibrahimovic in support. The striker timed his run perfectly, as Pogba's pass released him. This was the moment. Time momentarily paused. They always seem to do for the natural goalscorers. Waiting for Pickford to commit himself, Ibrahimovic rolled the ball into the far corner. What a finish. What a team performance.
It was a cool and classy finish from the striker who is in rich vein of form
Still the Red Devils hadn't had enough. What followed was a thing of absolute splendour. Sublime. Ibrahimovic drifted into the right channel, looked up, and curled in a delightful cross, so perfectly weighted, it seemed he had a scale. Mkhitaryan though a tad offside, had remained in the box. Still no one expected what happened next. Like a bird in the air, the Armenian adjusted his body beautifully to the angle he wanted. Like fish in water, he swivelled to perform a scorpion- flick with the outside of his boot. So precise was it, the ball flew into the far corner of the net.
Mkhitaryan sealed the win for united with spellbinding improvisation
The Armenian watches on as his scorpion kick nestles in the back of the net.
The summer signing could not hide his glee as supporters were treated to a worldie
So brilliant was the technique, goalkeeper Pickford had no chance. Indeed so spellbinding was the skill, the supporters were jaw-dropped. It was out of the blue. The grandeur of the goal was like none ever seen. It was heavenly. Picking up from where he left off, is there any stopping Mkhitaryan? Not even injury could halt his progress.
Sunderland still got a consolation goal though, at least for playing their part in an entertaining tie. One for the awards. Fabio Borini's perfect volley pulled one back, but the game was long done and dusted.
On a day when David Moyes returned with his Sunderland team, to Old Trafford, and to the supporters who once called him chosen, he was handed a silent reception,and his team a harsh lesson. United came bearing gifts, and dished it out brutally. The red Devils attacking flair and exotic brilliance, is so contrasting to the excruciatingly painful football served up by Moyes in his ill fated united reign, and also in some part of Van Gaal's. United have the tendency to lurch from short resurrections to new burials, but this current side, with a heavenly cocktail of power pace and technique seem on the rise. At least for now.
Sunderland looked like deers caught in the headlights, while United sashayed beautifully in it. A day to forget for one, a day to remember for another.
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