MAN UNITED 3, STOKE CITY 0
It was like Manchester United in the glory days of yesteryear – scoring goals and creating chances – as they beat Stoke City comprehensively at Old Trafford.
The Reds have certainly banished their boring label under Louis van Gaal in their last two matches which have been a breath of fresh air.
They followed up their 3-1 victory at Derby County in the Emirates FA Cup with another three-goal showing four days later against the Potters.
Goals from Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial and Juan Mata transformed the jeers in the defeat by Southampton in their last home match into cheers.
And it was a far more enjoyable walk back to the changing rooms for van Gaal as the angry gestures were replaced by applause. He even stopped to sign autographs.
It was a far more heartening night for the fans as they witnessed their side register15 goal attempts with five on target, a far cry to the one miserable effort on target against Saints.
And it was a far happier van Gaal, whose side remain fifth and still a whopping 10 points behind leaders Leicester.
He said: “The players made a great performance, not only defensively, but attacking as we created a lot of chances and made fantastic finishing of team goals playing up from the back that I like to see.
“We scored superb team goals which I like the most. I also like individual goals, but these were team goals and the finishing was very good.
“I was also able to give minutes to other players instead of changing because I had to.”
Van Gaal, who says the only difference it that his side is now converting its chances, was also delighted with the display of Martial admitted the 20-year-old has surprised him how easily he has made the transition from the French league.
And while Martial prefers to play as a central striker, he will continue to play on the left flank if he continues to impress.
“When he plays like this, I don’t change things and the same applies to Rooney and Mata. I only observe and do my best for the team.”
Stoke manager Mark Hughes admitted his side was off colour conceding it was damage limitation.
He added it was a far cry to Boxing Day when Stoke defeated the Reds after making a whirlwind start to the game.
“We had our tails up on Boxing Day, but United got the early goal and were sharper and the boot was on the other foot,” he explained.
Van Gaal made two changes from the side that kicked off the FA Cup tie at Derby County on Friday.
There were recalls for Michael Carrick in midfield and Matteo Darmian at right back at the expense of Morgan Schneiderlin and Guillermo Varela.
There was again no Ryan Shawcross in the Stoke side through injury while Peter Crouch was once more preferred to Xherdan Shaqiri up front.
United made a bright start and in the first six minutes Mata had a shot deflected over while Rooney’s drive forced a decent diving save from Jack Butland.
And they made the breakthrough in the 14th minute with the first home goal scored at Old Trafford in the opening period of a game since September 30th as they ended an 11-game barren run.
It was a goal made by the kids as left-back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson crossed from the left and Lingard stooped low at the far post to head home for his third goal of the season.
Suddenly there was a spring in the step of the United player and Martial had two decent chances to extend the lead. First he cut in from the left and lashed a fierce shit into the side netting and then he forced Butland into another diving save.
And midway through the opening period, Martial made it 2-0 following a stunning goal in its creation and execution.
Mata started the move on the right playing the ball inside to Rooney whose crossed to the left of the box where Martial fired an unstoppable shot high into the far top corner, a ninth goal of a successful debut campaign.
Stoke conjured the occasional goal attempt, but none troubled keeper David De Gea.
United could conceivably have added a third goal when Mata had two bites of the cherry. His initial shot was blocked and the ball was then played back in by Darmian as the Spaniard headed narrowly over.
And just before the break Mata had another effort charged down as it was one-way traffic with United in total command.
Rooney had the ball in the net early in the second period, but his effort was ruled as he clearly shoved Glen Johnson off the ball before bursting clean through.
But minutes later Rooney was not to be denied for a second time when he made it 3-0 rounding off a delightful passing move.
Mata released Martial on the left and his first-time cross found Rooney free six yards out to slit home his seventh goal in as many games and 14th of the season for the Reds. It was also goal 99 at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Unite made their first change with 11 minutes left when Martial, who had an excellent match, was replaced by Memphis Depay and he was soon followed by Ander Herrera coming on for Marouane Fellaini who, too, had a good game.
Depay almost added a fourth goal as his shot dipped just over the bar after being set up by Lingard.
United made their last change with less than three minutes left when Mata made way for Andreas Pereira as they saw out the game with ease.