Manchester United cling on for victory against Stoke City

Premier League, Old Trafford – Manchester United 2 (Fellaini 21, Mata 59) Stoke City 1 (Nzonzi 39)

Manchester United won their fourth match in succession for only the second time since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson with a hard fought 2-1 win over Stoke.

Marouane Fellaini rose at the far post to nod home Ander Herrera’s cross for his first home goal before Steven N’Zonzi rifled in his first of the season with a fierce drive from outside the area.

Juan Mata’s free kick early in the second half restored United’s lead before a fantastic double save from David De Gea and goal line clearance from Ashley Young somehow protected all three points.

The big news before kick-off was the omission of Wayne Rooney, who failed to recover from an injury sustained when he collided with an advertising hoarding against Hull City.

But it was United’s midfielders who did the damage on the night in a reshuffled team, the victory meaning the gap between them and third-placed Southampton is down to a point.

- Source: Eurosports