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Ibrahimovic can ridicule Michael Owen

Jose Mourinho's response to Michael Owen following his criticism of Zlatan Ibrahimovic was incredibly satisfactory for those United supporters who still wince at the memory of him being paraded in a red shirt. Yes, he scored that goal but signing him after his entourage resorted to publishing a brochure to encourage Stoke and Hull to sign him was risible.

Ibrahimovic has not tweeted since the Community Shield victory but could be forgiven for @ing Owen if he scores against Sunderland. He is one goal shy of emulating Owen's haul of 17 for United. Owen's came over three injury-ravaged seasons. Ibrahimovic made his debut just over four months ago.

Back to 4-2-3-1?

If ever there was a period to rest Michael Carrick it is now. Sunderland do not merit a holding midfielder and Boxing Day is a chance for Mourinho to trial United's other strongest XI in the 4-2-3-1 formation.

With Ander Herrera sitting, Paul Pogba could surge forward and Juan Mata or Wayne Rooney are options to play behind Ibrahimovic. Mata might be the more flexible, since he can switch seamlessly if Mourinho decides to revert to 4-3-3, having discovered his best position at United in the right attacking midfield role.

Mourinho might not want to disrupt the balance and retain Carrick but, as United discovered when Morgan Schneiderlin lined up at Fenerbahce, there are certain occasions when a midfield three is unnecessary.

Does Mkhitaryan return?

Eric Bailly was in first-team training and youngsters Axel Tuanzebe and Sean Goss took part in the week, but the questions where dominated by one absentee.

"Where's Henrikh Mkhitaryan?" was a frequent question posed on social media after the pictures emerged on Wednesday. Mkhitaryan was tipped to return on Boxing Day by Mourinho but Jesse Lingard's showing at West Brom has given the United manager - maybe for the first time - a dilemma over who to play on the right flank.

Mkhitaryan is the superior footballer but Lingard has enjoyed greater freedom under Mourinho and arguably deserves to keep his place after producing his best piece of wing play at West Brom.

Bailly back?

Bailly trained with the seniors and his availability provides Mourinho with another selection quandary. Antonio Valencia's suspension allowed Mourinho to restore Bailly to the team for domestic duty at right-back against Crystal Palace but there is no clear vacancy ahead of Sunderland's visit.

United's defensive stability has been built around the axis of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo and Mourinho might merely wait for injury, suspension or a glaring error to break up that partnership.

Until then, the unlikeliest of prosperous partnerships could continue. Jones and Rojo vindicated Mourinho's decision to stick with them over Bailly against Tottenham.

Chance to improve goal difference

Should Tottenham lose and United win on Boxing Day, the teams would be level on points and it would require a 10-goal swing for United to usurp Mauricio Pochettino's side.

United have played enterprising, if profligate football. They have hit four on four occasions but only once in the Premier League and the next two home games are opportunities not just to extend the winning run but improve the goal difference.

Surprisingly, six sides have sieved more goals than Sunderland but only Hull have scored fewer, so United can be forgiven for a gung-ho approach.

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