Muscling Their Way In: Stoke 0 Manchester United 2

Manchester United's Robin van Persie ends his goal drought, scoring his 20th of the season

Image retrieved from the Barclays Premier League Twitter page

Stoke	Manchester United
Begovic  Cameron      (SUB Jerome 71' (Y 85'))  Huth  Shawcross  Wilkinson  Shotton  Whelan  Nzonzi  Adam  Jones      (SUB Crouch 84')  Walters      (SUB Owen 77')  Unused subs:   Sorensen  Palacios  Whitehead  Kightly	De Gea  Evra  Jones  Ferdinand  Vidic  Valencia (Y 63')  Carrick (GOAL! 3')  Kagawa  Rooney  Van Persie (GOAL! 66' PG)  Hernandez      (SUB Welbeck 77')  Unused subs:   Lindegaard  Evans  Smalling  Buttner  Giggs  Cleverley

Manchester United endured a physical and robust Stoke offensive at the Britannia Stadium, with Michael Carrick and Robin van Persie etching their names in the scoresheet.

The Reds had two feet on the gas pedal at the very start of the first half, with Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez providing the goal threat early on. And United cashed in on their first corner of the game. Van Persie's corner kick landed the ball square in the Stoke box, causing a scramble for the ball. Michael Carrick ultimately got his foot on it, propelling the Reds to the lead.

Michael Carrick taps in United's first goal of the game

Image retrieved from the Daily Mail UK

The league leaders would somehow slow the game down a bit but still got a few shots on goal, with the prolific Van Persie getting close a couple of times. Stoke, for their part, haven't done anything to constitute a solid threat. They got closest to a goal in a free kick when Robert Huth's header grazes the ball just wide.

But it was United who certainly had the ball more, with Kagawa doing really well to keep the ball in Reds' possession. Rooney, deployed in central midfield, is doing decently as well to steer the play United's way.

Chicharito's challenge opens up Wilkinson's left brow

Image retrieved from the Daily Mail UK

The Potters upped the ante in the second half, with the likes of Charlie Adam, Kenwyne Jones and Jonathan Walters all creating chances. Walters came close  to equalizing for the home side when he received the ball inside the box and tried to shoot the ball home but couldn't direct it.

The two sides traded chances but none could get a clear-cut chance at goal until the 66th minute. Robin van Persie receives the ball from the left but defender Wilkinson made a late challenge on the Dutchman. Referee Jon Moss gave the penalty and the Dutchman finally broke his goal drought from the spot, scoring his 20th league goal of the season. Stoke actually latched in a quick response on the break when Ryan Shotton made a blistering shot, but David de Gea coolly saves the ball.

Robin van Persie hugs boss Sir Alex as both celebrate the Dutchman's goal

Image retrieved from the Daily Mail UK

Stoke went on full ambition, with Glenn Whelan and Ryan Shotton now making long 30-yarders but none are making it towards the target. Ferguson's men run down the clock and seal in the win soon after.

United's win hands Sir Alex Ferguson his 900th win as a manager and propels the team back to 15-points clear at the top the table. The Red Devils are now just seven points away from clinching their 20th top-flight title.

Rooney's Redemption: Manchester United 4 Stoke 2

Rooney heads in the equalizer after doing the same thing on the wrong end of the pitch earlier in the game

Image retrieved from the Daily Mail UK

Goals of the Game

Manchester United: Rooney (27', 65'), Van Persie (44'), Welbeck (46')

Stoke City: Rooney (11' OG), Kightly (58')

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney almost went back to his rather villanous status among the Old Trafford faithful when he placed opponents Stoke in the lead via an own goal, only to redeem himself by sinking in a brace later on that would help the Reds gain all three points against Tony Pulis' side.

Stoke had all indications of pulling an upset in the first thirty minutes or so of the game. They played their cards right and pushed the Reds, creating numerous chances along the way. Their formidable set-piece play earns them the lead when Charlie Adam's cross is headed by Rooney, only to have the ball cross United's goal line, giving Stoke the lead. The Red Devils struggled after that, but only until Rooney made sure his 10th anniversary since sinking in the wonder-goal against Arsenal wouldn't end in a bad note. From a cool RVP cross, Rooney went in to replicate what he did on the other side of the pitch and handed his team the equalizer. While Stoke still had the engine on full speed, it would soon come to an abrupt halt, and just before half-time, too, when Robin Van Persie's quick reflexes successfully converted a smart Valencia cross from the right flank, giving United the lead.

Van Persie swivels to collect a Valencia cross and put the Reds ahead just before half-time

Image retrieved from the Daily Mail UK

Second half had barely started when Tony Pulis' men got the winds out of their sails when Danny Welbeck heads in a fabulous 6-yarder. Stoke would take one back as Michael Kightly made a fantastic run, only for that goal to be negated by none other than Wayne Rooney, who sank in his second goal of the day, finishing off the Potters. Stoke would prove too deflated after that, and the scoreline ends 4-2.

Man of the Match had to be Wayne Rooney, who shook off a dulling own goal to score a brace that helped mightily in getting his side the full three points.

Robin Van Persie is on fabulous form, sinking his 8th goal in his 8th league appearance for the Reds ever since signing from Arsenal in the recent summer transfer window. Meanwhile, Danny Welbeck is slowly but surely trying to get back his form from last season. He took a lot of chances for United tonight, though he didn't exactly finish several of them successfully.

All three forwards on United starting XI for this match got their names on the scoresheet, a testament to Sir Alex Ferguson's adamant pursuit of not repeating the same mistake last season as they lost on mere goal difference.