Full-strength defence pleases Mourinho

Jose Mourinho is pleased to anticipate having a full-strength defence at his disposal as Manchester United prepare to host Sunderland on Boxing Day.

Only Luke Shaw miss the visit of Sunderland but will return thereafter.

United had been weakened by injuries at the back since the start of the season and Mourinho is looking forward to using the full range of options in a busy schedule.

"Chris Smalling is back, Eric Bailly is back, Marcos Rojo is fine, Daley Blind is fine, so it’s a position where it’s very important to have some stability in the options,” Mourinho said it his Friday press conference. “We were in a difficult position a couple of months ago but now we are safe.”

See: Rojo targets more silverware