Manchester United 3 Sunderland 1: Henrikh Mkhitaryan scores incredible scorpion kick to add to Daley Blind and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s netbusters

HENRIKH MKHITARYAN’S scorpion kick goal  capped off a miserable return to Old Trafford for David Moyes.

The Armenian’s bizarre but neat finish put the icing on the cake after Daley Blind’s opener and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s second.

Fabio Borini’s late screamer gave the Sunderland fans some cheer, but it was not enough as United went 11 unbeaten.

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Supersub Mkhitaryan’s back heel was guided in from Ibrahimovic’s whipped cross… but replays showed he was in an offside position.

Blind ghosted into the penalty box after good work from nowhere after great work from Ibrahimovic, who squared the ball for the Dutchman to drive a low, hard shot home inside the far post.

Then the Swede, 35, ended a frustrating afternoon by finishing off Paul Pogba’s through ball.

Pogba hit the post just before the half hour mark as United toiled but could not make the breakthrough, he then wasted a brilliant chance on the volley with half the goal at his mercy.

Ibrahimovic was just as guilty of wasting chances as well. A one-one-one with Jordan Pickford should have been netted, but for a cracking safe from the young Englishman, while another gilt-edge chance flew over the bar.

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

It was a disappointing end-product for world record signing Pogba, given he was largely magnificent everywhere else on the pitch, beating players with ease and playing passes around accurately – including a cross-field pass David Beckham or Paul Scholes would relish.

FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS

• That is eleven unbeaten now for Manchester United and five wins in a row.
• The disappointment for United fans is that the gap to the top and Chelsea’s remorseless run means there is not even a flickering hope of a title bid.
• The home draws against Stoke, Burnley, Arsenal and West Ham when United dominated are looking even more costly now.
• United’s winner reflected how they are playing right with players from all areas of the pitch involved in the build up including centre back Marcos Rojo and it was finished by full-back Daley Blind.
• Wayne Rooney was missing from the starting line-up yesterday because he had felt a muscle strain in training.
• It was a rather muted response from the fans for David Moyes return to the stadium.
• The last time Moyes had been here; two years eight months and 27 days previously he had presided over a 4-1 win against Aston Villa.
• Four wins in their previous seven games before yesterday have given the Black Cats fans hope of survival once more and they give up as their should fought to the end in this game.
• One ball boy inadvertently felt the full force of a Lamine Kone slide tackle. The Sunderland player could not stop himself as he ran off the pitch and slid down the hill at the side into the unsuspecting lad.
• Mourinho kept himself under control yesterday on the touchline but had at least two good shouts for penalties turned down.

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BIG PICTURE

DREAM TEAM RATINGS

MAN UTD: De Gea 6, Valencia 6, Jones 6, Rojo 6, Blind 7, Carrick 6, Herrera 7 (Fellaini 84, 6), Pogba 9, Mata 6 (Martial 74, 6), Lingard 6 (Mkhitaryan 62, 7), Ibrahimovic 9. Subs not used:  Smalling, Rashford, Romero, Darmian.

Booked: Blind

SUNDERLAND: Pickford 7, Jones 6, Kone 6, Djilobodji 6, Van Aanholt 6, Larsson 6 (Khazri 83, 6), Denayer 5, Ndong 5 (Love 86, 6), Anichebe 6, Defoe 6, Borini 6. Subs not used: Mannone, O’Shea, Asoro, Honeyman, Embleton.

Booked: Kone, Borini.

WHAT THEY SAID

JOSE MOURINHO: “Of course, all his career he’s scored beautiful goals. In this moment he has goals, defensive work, creativity. I’m happy that he came back after this injury.

“He’s feeling at Old Trafford that people love him and that’s a very important feeling for him.”

DALEY BLIND: “There was space to run into, Zlatan gave me the ball, and I finish one touch. It was a good goal and important before half time to get a good feeling before going into the second half.

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

“Mkhi is a great player, a great finish. I’m happy that I can play with them.”