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TKTG takes a look at the best articles and analysis covering the Manchester United vs. Stoke City match which ended 4-2 in favour of the home side.
Match Report: Goal.com
Wayne Rooney scored a double and an own goal as Manchester United bounced back after going behind early to register a 4-2 victory over Stoke City at Old Trafford.
The visitors took the lead when the England international nodded the ball into his own net from a Charlie Adam free-kick. United rallied and Rooney was on hand to get them back into the game with a thumping header.
Just before the break Robin van Persie gave his side the lead with sublime close range effort and 50 seconds after the restart Danny Welbeck notched another for the Red Devils with a superb diving header.
Michael Kightly got the Potters back into the game with a great individual effort only for Rooney to give United their two goal lead back with a smart finish at the back-post to seal the win for the Red Devils.
Continue the rest of the match report on the Goal.com website.
Analysis
Chelsea’s impressive performance at Spurs put Manchester United under pressure before kickoff, and the need for victory against Stoke was acute. Despite the questionable behaviour of some of the Blues personnel, it is now impossible to ignore the quality of the Londoners’ football.
Meanwhile, the themes for United’s season are establishing themselves and the imbalance in the team is undeniable. As is their capacity for self-defeating passages of play, but they just keep on scoring. In that regard, United are the equals of Chelsea and the game against them at Stamford Bridge next weekend looms large.
Stoke’s results at Old Trafford have been woeful in recent years, and their lack of endeavour could largely be to blame for that. However, there was a renewed sense of vigour to their approach today, and they put the United back four under pressure early on.
United’s defence is still a shambles, and Stoke walked all over it in the first half. The fullbacks allowed the wingers to centre the ball too easily, and Stoke’s game plan — to exploit David De Gea’s weakness — was clearly to put as many crosses in as possible. It worked.
Continue reading the article by ESPNFC’s Mark Payne.
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