Many Manchester United fans had wanted the Catalan to replace Van Gaal as their boss, but the Dutchman is not fazed by the arrival of such a prestigious rival. By half-time they could have even been 4-0 up, and watching United confirm victory in the 53rd minute before then spending the next 37 gently keeping Stoke at bay harked back to the days of a certain knighted Scot. United started well and seemed to take confidence from Derby dropping off them.
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His tap-in came after Lingard and Martial struck in the first half as United found the back of the net in the opening period for the first time in 12 home games. At home you have to win.
However, despite the continuous complaint of Van Gaal’s inefficiency, who’s the best man to take over the job? Van Gaal was impressed and spoke on the former Chelsea man for his contribution. “We got the early goal and that made it easier for us”, De Gea said after the Stoke clash.
Afterwards, Van Gaal hailed his deadly forwards.
But that never looked likely as United raced into a 2-0 lead inside the first 23 minutes. Rooney shrugged Johnson off and banged the ball past Jack Butland, but Roger East felt the captain’s had pushed the ailing right-back.
United eased off for the remainder of the second half.
“Against Derby County (in the FA Cup on the weekend) we played very well, also like this evening”.
Stoke, unable to use record signing Giannelli Imbula after his late arrival on Monday, couldn’t handle Juan Mata, who excelled in a central position and could have had a hat-trick as he saw efforts blocked and headed wide from a Matteo Darmian cross.
With the pressure on Louis van Gaal, United played one of their best football of the season to convincingly beat Stoke City. And Lingard thinks the Red Devils need to supply him with the ball as much as possible.
It is different story for Stoke City.
Wayne Rooney’s goal early on in the second half provided more satisfaction for the Red Devils, and ex-striker Andy Cole was delighted to see the England global skipper continue to confound his critics.
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Mark Hughes’ outfit also left their last league match empty handed, losing heavily to table-topping Leicester City (3-0).
