Manchester United secured a comfortable 3-0 win against struggling Stoke City in Monday’s Premier League clash at Old Trafford. Antonio Valencia, Anthony Martial and Romelu Lukaku were the scorers for United who recently returned from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, for a short training camp.
The win took United’s points tally to 50, 12 points behind leaders Manchester City in the league table.
While Stoke, who have now lost their fourth straight game in all competitions, are 18th in the relegation zone on 20 points.
After bossing the early exchanges, United took the lead in the ninth minute as Valencia cuts in onto his left and curled the ball into the top right corner.
In the 17th minute, Stephen Ireland should have equalised for Stoke following a fast break but dragged his shot wide.
Ireland was presented with another chance in the 22nd minute but he could only steer wide once again.
Three minutes later Maxim Choupo-Moting had a brilliant chance to draw Stoke level only for his goal-bound effort hit Phil Jones and rolled away for a corner.
After surviving Stoke’s onslaught, United doubled their lead in the 38th minute as Martial whipped in Paul Pogba’s pass into the top left-hand corner.
In the 59th minute, Martial almost got on the score sheet again after another brilliant pass from Pogba this time Butland gathered well.
Juan Mata had another chance for United on 62 minutes only to see his effort into the far corner roll just wide.
United’s sustained pressure in the second half eventually paid off as Lukaku made it 3-0 in the 72nd minute after turning past two defenders and shooting low past But land.
Mame Biram Dioue almost scored for Stoke in the 86th minute but his first effort was saved by David De Gea before he hit the rebound into the side netting.
