Stoke at home had the potential to be one of those embarrassing losses that United tend to suffer nearly every season, especially as the Potters recently out played Arsenal to earn a deserved 3 points. But it was not to be, as United provided a slightly more predictable score line of 5-0. The Goals included numbers 100 and 101 for Ronaldo and number 1 for Welbeck.
Ronaldo opened the scoring on 3 minutes as he fired home a sensational (as is his style) free kick from at least 23 metres out after an foul on Tevez. Michael Carrick doubled United’s lead just before half time with a great shot fired in to the top of the net from just inside the area, Ronaldo turned provider this time.
Half time and United are showing their dominance as Stoke barely threatened apart from a brief moment of panic created by a throw from the magical Delap.
On 49 minutes Berbatov showed the kind of skill that £30 million can buy you, with a great effort inside the box – finding the goal past a stranded Sorensen. The goal was created by the always inspirational Carlos Tevez, who should be singled out for praise in that he knows with the arrival of Berbatov his own first team chances will be limited yet he still puts in a tremendous work rate and is relentlessly pursuing a permanent deal – he certainly is a player who appreciates the honour of playing at such a club.
84th minute, step up Danny Welbeck. The 18 year old, on his Premier league Debut buries Stoke with a 27 metre long range effort – incredible stuff, surely a tip for the future; SAF we need you to get these youngsters committed to United in long term contracts. Welbeck deserves a place in the team in order to prove himself not to be a one goal wonder – let’s hope he gets it, after all he is deserving of the chance.
The game also saw the introduction of Manucho, who we have seen precious little of since his arrival amid rave reviews. He nearly got his English career off to the perfect start when he headed just over minutes after coming on.
Ronaldo stepped up yet again to finish the rout for the Champions. Another freekick, this time curled in to the bottom corner. And so it finished Manchester United 5 – Ronaldo 101 – Stoke 0.
This moves United up to third in the league with a game in hand, but they are still a massive 8 points behind Liverpool and Chelsea who lead the way.
Next up United have three away games in a row, starting at Villa Park on Saturday evening, before trips to Villarreal and City in the following week. All will be tough games but United are starting to hit their stride as is their tradition in the build up to Christmas, they need to be close enough to have Chelsea looking over their collective shoulders as we move towards United’s traditionally stronger period in the second half of the season.
Toby Bowen
I dont think that Ronaldo can even come close to his success last season!!
But he is well and truly having a good go at it!