Report: United 5 Stoke 0
United's class shone through in a five-star display against Stoke City. Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice, both from free-kicks, while Michael Carrick, Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Welbeck all chipped in as Stoke were well and truly outplayed and outclassed.
The Reds went into the game without Wayne Rooney, who has been suffering with a chest infection, and Rio Ferdinand a loss when you consider the threat Stoke pose from set pieces. With that in mind, Sir Alex went for height in his team. John OShea lined up at right-back alongside Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick in midfield all over 6ft.
It was a good job as Stokes play favours the aerially adept. The first five minutes was more a game of head tennis than football. But while the pre-match talk centred on Stoke's secret weapon - Rory Delaps throw-ins - people seemed to have forgotten all about Ronaldos speciality: a viciously swerving free-kick.
Three minutes in, Abdoulaye Fayes foul on Carlos Tevez gave Ronaldo the chance to showcase his talent. From 30 yards out, Ronaldos trademark run-up and unique style of striking the ball yielded the desired result: a shot that shifted in the air so wickedly that Thomas Sorensen lost its flight and the ball crashed into the roof of the net. It was the Portuguese wingers 100th United goal, and one to savour.
It took 12 minutes for Delap to get his hands on the ball, leading to a pantomime-like exchance between the two sets of fans; Stoke cheering in fevered anticipation and the Stretford End booing. The embanked touchlines at Old Trafford dont favour the throw-in expert, but the delivery was still dangerous, flicked on at the front post with Edwin van der Sar clawing it away from goal.
Stokes fans were certainly giddy stand up if you beat Arsenal they sang, before endlessly taunting Ronaldo. Their supporters are enjoying their time in the top flight as much as the team, so its difficult to begrudge them annoying though United fans may have found them particularly as theyre one of the more vocal away followings to have visited M16 recently.
Uniteds first half performance had been steady, if not always penetrative. But just as it looked like the Reds would not add to the scoreline before the break, Carrick spliced open the Stoke defence again, this time with a powerful left-footed drive that found a route through a crowd of yellow shirts into the top corner.
The Reds began the second half with renewed intent. Tevezs lofted pass played Berbatov in almost immediately after the restart. But the Bulgarian was eventually crowded out. Minutes later the same combination led to Uniteds third goal as Berbatov controlled Tevezs cross before turning and drilling low past Sorensen.
The United fans in the old scoreboard end should be credited with one of the chants of the season: Youve only come to see your throw-ins, such was the excitement in the away end whenever the ball went out of play. The constant banter between United and Stoke's fans added to the game as a spectacle. It spurred United on. Ronaldo left Sorensen befuddled with another thundering free kick, while Tevez hungrily chased a
goal.
Such was Uniteds comfort, Sir Alex brought on Danny Welbeck, Darron Gibson and Manucho in place of Park, the outstanding Darren Fletcher and the equally impressive Carlos Tevez. Welbecks cameo brought another fine flourish in a game of goals to savour. Picking up the ball 35 yards from goal, the 17-year-old pressed forward before unleashing a screamer of a shot into the top corner talk about making your mark, it was the pick of the bunch.
Stoke will have learned many lessons on the biggest Premier League stage. One their fans may like to remember is that mocking Ronaldo usually results in one outcome, and he delivered it with a second free-kick, this time from 20 yards, arrowed into the bottom corner in the final throes of the match. Stoke are clearly an effective team their results against Aston Villa, Arsenal and Liverpool this season illustrate that point but as long as United matched their endeavour, the Reds sheer quality was bound to win through, which it did, in all its glory.
Team Line-ups
United: Van der Sar; O'Shea, Vidic, Evans, Evra; Ronaldo, Fletcher (Gibson 63), Carrick, Park (Welbeck 63); Tevez (Manucho 75), Berbatov.
Subs not used: Foster, Anderson, Nani, Rafael.
Booked: Evra
Stoke: Sorensen; Griffin (Wilkinson 78), Shawcross Ab.Faye, Higgingbothom; Olofinjana (Cresswell 32), Diao, Am.Faye, Delap; Sidibe, Fuller (Kitson 69).
Subs not used: Simonsen, Cort, Whelan, Tonge.
Booked: Fuller, Delap
