Kevin Ball selects his ones to watch ahead of Sunderland's Boxing Day trip to the Theatre of Dreams.
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
What better place to start than by looking at Zlatan Ibrahimovic? The Swedish star has been an unbelievable professional footballer for almost 20 years. His goalscoring record speaks for itself across Europe, and while he is now in the experienced years of his career he is showing no signs of letting up. The 35-year-old has scored 10 goals in his last nine games, in all competitions, and seven in his last six Premier League matches. A phenomenal record by anyone’s standards. His big personality puts him on a pedestal, but his talents with a football definitely back his ego up. I watched Zlatan in a Champions League game at Stamford Bridge a few years ago and I was so impressed with him. Since then, I was fortunate enough to watch him at the Coupe De France in the summer and he left me in awe once again! Zlatan is a footballing great and a match-winner when needed the most.
WAYNE ROONEY
The England striker has been on his ‘A’ game since the age of 17 when he burst onto the scene. One of the greatest talents England has ever produced, Wayne Rooney is capable of anything with a ball at his feet. In the last few years he has had to adapt his game slightly, but one thing that’s still there is his desire and drive to be the best. His work rate is second to none and for me, that shows he still has the passion. He is Manchester United’s and England’s all-time topscorer so credit where credits due. While he may have only scored one Premier League goal this season, Rooney is still one of the best around.
PAUL POGBA
The world’s most expensive player has to be mentioned! Paul Pogba is a dynamic player in the middle of the park who covers a lot of ground. Having risen through the ranks at United, he went to Juventus and took his game to another level. Last summer he returned to Old Trafford and has since experienced a mixed start to life in the Premier League. However, I believe Jose Mourinho has now found his most effective position in the Red Devils’ midfield and that’s in a box-to-box role where he can be influential in both defensive and offensive areas.
JUAN MATA
Former Chelsea man Juan Mata is a player I like very much because of the creativity he brings in and around the box. Despite only scoring three goals in 12 Premier League appearances this season, Mata was highlighted as statistically the most influential midfield player in the top-flight with goals and assists in November. Now in the prime of his career, the Spaniard continues to float around the pitch and find those pockets of space in the final third where he can do some real damage.
MICHAEL CARRICK
Manchester United have only won three Premier League games this season that Michael Carrick hasn’t played in. The 35-year-old is enjoying a new lease of life under Jose Mourinho and provides the perfect balance alongside Pogba’s athleticism. Carrick didn’t feature in United’s 4-0 defeat at Chelsea and I think that speaks volumes about how important he is. The former Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United man protects the back four to exemplary standards as his positioning and ability to know where he needs to be means he is usually two or three paces ahead of those around him. He keeps the ball well, makes things tick and while he probably plays a role that goes unnoticed, I think he is definitely one Sunderland must watch closely.
DAVID DE GEA
Having examined a handful of United’s attacking options, I think it’s only fair we take a glance at who we’ll need to beat if we are to score at Old Trafford. David De Gea is renowned for being one of the best ‘keepers in world football. In his 182 top-flight bouts, the Spaniard has kept a hefty total of 67 clean sheet. A fantastic return. Voted Manchester United’s Player of the Year for the last three seasons, the 26-year-old has blossomed into an unbelievable shot stopper. Fantastic in one-on-one situations, the Madrid-born ‘keeper is a real heavy weight between the goalposts and could prove to be a thorn in the Black Cats’ side.
