A run of vital fixtures for United began with the visit of Stoke City to Old Trafford, and a chance for the reds to bounce back from their disappointing exit from the cup at the hands of Liverpool. Having only managed a point away to the Potters earlier in the season, it was imperative for United’s title chances that all 3 points were secured, especially given the difficulty of the next 4 league fixtures. Despite Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones remaining side-lined, United’s injury crisis was somewhat relieved by the return of Rio Ferdinand to the defence, with Ben Amos making a rare start for the ill David De Gea.
On perhaps the chilliest night of the year at Old Trafford, the game offered little to warm those in attendance, as United set up base camp in the Stoke half, probing and prodding but without finding any cutting edge. Scholes, who looked the most dangerous for United, came close with a rasping volley from the edge of the box, which Thomas Sorensen was glad to see narrowly go wide of his near post. Whilst offering little down the other end, Stoke were defending admirably, limiting Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez to fleeting glimpses of the ball, making for a potentially frustrating evening. A lapse in concentration on 38 minutes however prized open the door for United, as a clever pass from Scholes into Park saw the Korean winger hacked down by Jermain Pennant, and handed the reds a chance to lead from the spot. Up stepped Hernandez, who effortlessly dispatched his penalty into the bottom corner, and handed the reds a well deserved half time advantage. (More …)
tony is discussing. 
Rafa is discussing. 
Evra – 4 Positionally hopeless. Say’s it all ,He’s been like this all season.I’m really struggling to remember if he was a good defender or not?