Jose Mourinho got the perfect set up for Manchester United’s Europa League challenge. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring and Marcus Rashford grabbing his first league goal since September. An energy-saving stroll against ten-man Sunderland. No new injuries and the likes of Luke Shaw, Matteo Darmian getting “positive” game time. Mourinho has ordered his side to go all out and win the Europa League.
“I don’t want our club to be just happy fighting for top four and Champions League places. I want us fighting for trophies,” he said. After their 21st consecutive Premier League game unbeaten, and ahead of the trip to play Anderlecht on Thursday in the Europa quarter-final, Mourinho added: “It is the only chance to get a trophy. “We won the League Cup and now we will fight for Europa League and we keep fighting for the top four.” Their top-four challenge isn’t over, but the run-in is tough. They face Chelsea at Old Trafford next week, with away games to Manchester City, Arsenal and Spurs all to come.
Ibrahimovic got the inevitable opener as United cruised in second gear on a hot day on Wearside. It was a trademark strike, using his strength to collect Ander Herrera’s pass on the edge of the box. Billy Jones did little to muscle him away from danger, and Lamine Kone was flat footed as the Swede turned inside to make an angle. His curling strike was too powerful for Jordan Pickford to stop and was his 28th in all competitions in 43 appearances this season. In the Premier League the ace has 17.
It is almost six months since United lost in the league, but they’ve drawn too many, climbing from seventh to sixth. This was done without No 1 keeper David de Gea, out with a minor injury that will see him miss the Europa League clash with Anderlecht. However, he’s likely to be back for the showdown with Chelsea next Sunday. Romero made a very good block on Victor Anichebe before half-time.
After the break it was all United who didn’t have to get out of second gear to extend their lead. Mkhitaryan made it 2-0, collecting Luke Shaw’s ball, turning unchallenged, and skipping onto his left foot. Leaden-looking Kone looked like he’d had too many cakes at half time and waved a leg to block the shot, which pinged past Pickford.
The only surprise was it took so long for dominant United to get a third. Sub Rashford was teed up for a shot from an angle by Ibrahimovic’s hold up play. The England U21 star smashed home, a fine finish and his 8th of the season, but first in the league since September 24.
