Mkhitaryan's goal for United vs. Sunderland was "beautiful" - Mourinho

PanARMENIAN.Net - Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho praised Henrikh Mkhitaryan for scoring a "beautiful goal" after the Armenia international produced a stunning, flicked finish in a 3-1 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, ESPN FC said.

Mkhitaryan scored in his third appearance in succession, following on from strikes in the wins against Zorya Luhansk and Tottenham Hotspur. Against Spurs, Mkhitaryan sustained an ankle injury, ruling him out of two games -- but the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder returned in style against Sunderland.

Mourinho told MUTV: "All his career, he's scored beautiful goals. In this moment, there's goals, defensive work, creativity.

"I'm so happy he came back after his injury and he came back with happiness. And he feels at Old Trafford, people love him -- and that's a very important feeling for him."

Discussing the goal, the United manager added: "It was beautiful -- it's a pity that it was the third goal and not the winning goal in a great match because that would be in Manchester United history."

Daley Blind and Zlatan Ibrahimovic had struck before Mkhitaryan's effort made it 3-0 to United. Although Fabio Borini scored a late consolation for Sunderland, it was a disappointing return to Old Trafford for the visitors' manager David Moyes, who was in charge at United for 10 months during 2013-14.

United recorded a fourth win in a row in the Premier League but Mourinho was not entirely satisfied with the performance.

Read also:Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Henrikh Mkhitaryan is heel King, I’m heel God