Ibrahimovic has made huge impact

MANCHESTER United's French star Anthony Martial is the latest player to salute the impact his fellow forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has had on the Old Trafford dressing room, particularly among the younger members of the squad.

Ibrahimovic is leading the Reds' front line with 16 goals in his first 25 appearances, but Martial feels the 35-year-old's influence off the pitch has been just as valuable since he arrived in the summer.

"He is a top player and we can't help but learn from just being alongside him, playing and training with him, seeing what he is doing now and what he has done in the past," Martial said.

TREMENDOUS

"In spite of his age, he has been a tremendous help to our side; he is doing loads for us. Let's hope his form can continue because that is going to help us to climb the table, which is our goal."

Ibrahimovic's goals have been a major factor in United's 10-match unbeaten run, though the whole team has been rightly praised for recent performances, which have yielded three consecutive league wins.

And Martial, who hopes to return against Sunderland on Boxing Day after missing the last two games, insists "everything is possible" in the second half of the season if the Reds' current form continues.

"We have a lot of experience in the squad and, together, we have to show what we can do to progress," said the 21-year-old ace, who has four goals to his name so far this term.

"We are a few points behind the top four at the moment, which we have got to make up, but it is down to us to maintain our good form and turn it into even more victories.

"We have to take each game as it comes, but if we can continue playing the way we are and add a few more goals, then who knows what we can achieve in terms of trophies this season."

Meanwhile, defender Chris Smalling made his comeback as a late substitute in the 2-0 win at at West Brom and is an option in defence for Monday's clash against David Moyes' Mackems, but Eric Bailly missed the win over the Baggies.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan could return, while an update is also awaited on Luke Shaw.