Henrikh Mkhitaryan scores wondergoal as Manchester United thump David Moyes’s Sunderland

In regards to the Premier League’s offerings on December 26th, Sunderland’s trip to Manchester United particularly stands out.

What started as a small Twitter thing has exploded into full media frenzy, with even the likes of Mourinho and Wenger singing the same tune of unfairness when it comes to Chelsea’s fixture list over the turn of the new year.

“[He decided] to come to Manchester United and the Premier League – a club with the level of expectation of Manchester United, the most hard league in the world – because he knows he can do it”.

Join Richard and his studio guests for Eleven’s live coverage of the Premier League, which includes tonight’s clash between Manchester United and Sunderland (10.30pm), and the Wednesday morning showdown between Hull and Man City (1.15am kick-off, Singapore time). “And, because of that, I don’t see them losing many points”.

With January looming, however, the opportunity is there for Mourinho to throw down the gauntlet by adding a proven goalscorer to his squad. Maybe some people thought he was a top scorer but not anymore at 35 years old.

The team is in 18th place in the 20-team standings after 17 games.

It could be the difference between qualifying for the Champions League or missing out again. More days with games equal more days with Premier League football on television.

But his work for Blind’s goal just five minutes before half time settled the home side’s nerves.

“I was expecting the ball to be in front of me and then I realised I was in front of it”. But, just like the majority of his teammates, the Ecuadorean lacks pace and variety when going forward.

Mourinho was not happy with United’s first-half performance despite Blind’s first goal of the season, a low shot into the bottom corner of the net after Ibrahimovic had set him up.

Reasonably quiet in the second half, though.

Ibrahimovic also got off the schneid with his assist. It is not a situation I am used to but some of the players are.

And former Arsenal man Smith feels that Mourinho was reluctant to use Carrick on a regular basis, before having to change his mind about the England global. Thankfully, they have a nice run of games starting with Moyes’ Sunderland today, plus Middlesbrough at home and a trip to the Hammers after that.

United are one of the form teams in the country at the moment and Mourinho said last night that he feels totally at home at Old Trafford.

While Chelsea and Manchester United continued their wonderful recent runs, Arsenal almost went into “they are most definitely now in crisis” mode, before a late goal from Olivier Giroud rescued Arsene Wenger’s side. Sunderland’s problem, however, is their over-reliance on the much-travelled striker.