Man Utd captain Wayne Rooney doubtful for Boro clash after minor injury

They have won only three from eight homes games and collected a mere 13 points so far.

I can say that’s gone.

“I didn’t like the first half performance”. I was expecting the ball in front of me but I was already in front. “I did and I succeeded”.

Asked if the one-year extension clause beyond Ibrahimovic’s initial one-season has been activated, Mourinho said: “Not yet, but it is activated in his brain and it is activated also in my decisions, the owners and the board’s, so no problem”. He hadn’t scored a goal in the previous 12 matches, only attempting three shots during that span, and his two assists came way back on September 24 against Leicester. All his career he has scored attractive goals.

United captain Rooney was left out of the squad after picking up an injury in training, but Jose Mourinho’s side coped without him to record a fourth successive Premier League victory.

Then came Sunderland’s golden chance. I’m happy with myself. The odds are on Defoe remaining at Sunderland next month, but he showed once again at United that his class remains, despite his age.

Ibrahimovic provided the assist for the defender and crossed for Mkhitaryan, having coolly netted United’s second himself.

However, United were unable to make any real inroads during their enterprising start as Sunderland’s threat grew in tandem with their confidence.

“It’s not activated yet but it is activated in his brain”, said Mourinho.

“I’m really pleased with him”.

Jose Mourinho has admitted feeling sympathy for David Moyes as present and former Manchester United managers prepare to meet on Boxing Day.

“We’re happy that he does that and he plays together with the team as well, I hope he stays in good form”.

It was a disappointing end-product for world record signing Pogba, given he was largely magnificent everywhere else on the pitch, beating players easily and playing passes around accurately – including a cross-field pass David Beckham or Paul Scholes would relish. His control, passing and work-rate were impressive and if anyone deserved a goal it was the Frenchman. Only Lionel Messi scored more goals at the club level in 2016, and he only managed to grab one more than King Zlatan.

And Moyes should have a spring in his step when he returns to his old stomping ground after lifting Sunderland off the foot of the table, thanks to four wins in seven games.

Surprisingly the Black Cats offered a threat going forward, first Patrick Van Aanholt’s bending free kick needed parrying out of danger by David De Gea.