Ibrahimovic’s gift is finishing touch for United

West Brom felt it was not quite a 2-0 game, but conceding in the fifth minute is no way to start against a form team and Salomon Rondon lacked Ibrahimovic’s decisiveness. The Venezuelan was also lucky to be on the pitch after a spat with Marcos Rojo escalated into him slapping the Argentinian’s cheek.

Retrospective punishment is likely. Anthony Taylor, having a scatty game, showed merely a yellow card. Taylor, however, was also lenient when Ibrahimovic leapt dangerously into Dawson, though Mourinho praised Taylor for what he saw as a consistent approach in a physical contest, aimed at keeping 22 participants on the pitch. “Ask the 28,000 [fans],” was Tony Pulis’s arch comment regarding Ibrahimovic’s challenge, however.

At full-time Wayne Rooney led a group of players over to the travelling support and they threw their United shirts to fans. Among the group were Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba. The final minutes had been enlivened by a sparky Rashford cameo and Pogba gliding about with such presence and supreme confidence.

United’s flair and flexibility — they settled into a possession game after first doing something different — were impressive. Ibrahimovic’s header established the early lead and, though West Brom pushed back to rattle them briefly, they never looked endangered once Ibrahimovic scored again after 56 minutes.

Rooney had taken Michael Carrick’s pass down the left to find Ibrahimovic on the corner of the box and the Swede, from a standing start, sprang into the area. His shot struck a crouching Dawson and wrongfooted Ben Foster.

With his nemesis, Pep Guardiola, under fire for idealism, Mourinho showcased the opposite: the pragmatic scheming that is his hallmark. West Brom were always going to look for crosses and to get the ball forward early, so United spent the opening 20 minutes doing the same.

It seemed Mourinho figured that if the teams matched up for style, the difference would come from the superior technique of his players. So it went. United cleared their lines quickly, and played long when appropriate. Ibrahimovic’s strike was gorgeous: among the most scenic aerial-route goals you’ll see. Antonio Valencia collected possession deep and avoided any West Brom press by lofting up the line. Lingard reached the pass, outstripping Allan Nyom.

Lingard, chosen ahead of Juan Mata, hit it on the half-volley, on the stretch and at full sprint, yet had the technique to control a cross that looped perfectly to Ibrahimovic, whose stooping, headed finish was adroit. Experience also played its part, Ibrahimovic subtly tugging Dawson — and getting away with it — in the build-up.

United remained superior for a time. Ander Herrera’s backheel to Rooney and Pogba’s pirouette to flummox Darren Fletcher contrasted with several poor touches by West Brom. From another terrific Carrick pass, Valencia crossed deep but Rooney nodded against Dawson. Rooney’s work was vintage, though, when turning in the box and striking a shot that Foster tipped against the bar.

Playing on the left, Rooney sacrificed himself for the team. For a fourth time he assisted an Ibrahimovic goal, the leading assist combination of two players in the Premier League.

In the 44th minute, Lingard was clear but overcooked his finish and volleyed into the stand. Two-nil at that point would have been misleading however. Pulis has built a mature, efficient team and West Brom didn’t let their bad start inhibit them. With Fletcher, Chris Brunt, Matt Phillips and Nacer Chadli getting on the ball, they played their way into the game.

Jonas Olsson had threatened, early, from a corner by Chris Brunt — another who got away with a borderline foul, on Rashford. Rondon, six yards out and centre of the goal, headed wide.

United are now three points behind Manchester City, having trailed their rivals by nine six weeks ago. Mourinho ordered the shirts to be thrown to the fans as a festive gesture: Mrs Ibrahimovic is not the only one enjoying the gift of Zlatan.

Zlatan keeps goals flowing for United

Zlatan Ibrahimovic can now put his feet up for the best part of a week as his manager, Jose Mourinho, promised with a big smile on his face after his two goals at West Bromwich Albion last night took his season’s tally to 16, 11 of them in the Premier League. The importance of the Swede to Mourinho’s side can be gauged by the fact that next in the United goalscoring list this season are midfielders Juan Mata and Paul Pogba, the world’s costliest player, who both have five.

The 35-year-old, who was a free signing in the summer after helping Paris St-Germain to the French title, has continued the goalscoring consistency he has shown at seven other clubs in five different countries. Last night’s double means he has scored 10 goals in his past nine matches in all competitions.

Santa Pogba gives fan his shirt

Paul Pogba, the Manchester United midfielder, went into the crowd at the Hawthorns last night to give a supporter an early Christmas present. Jose Mourinho, the United manager, had told the players to give their shirts to fans and Pogba leapt over the advertising hoardings at the away end to present his number 6 shirt to a disabled supporter, to the delight of United’s travelling throng.Star man: Paul Pogba (Manchester United)