A cold evening in Manchester saw United pull on level points with City after the latter lost by a goal to nil at Merseyside.
United announced a defence of Smalling, Evans, Ferdinand and Evra. The man between the sticks was Ben Amos making his premier league debut for the club.
The mid-field was Park, Carrick, Scholes and Valencia unchanged from their visit to Anfield.
Berbatov and Hernandez started upfront.
Stoke:Sorensen; Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson; Pennant, Palacios, Whitehead, Walters; Jones, Crouch. subs: Begovic, Whelan, Fuller, Delap, Etherington, Jerome, Woodgate
The first half was United domination as Paul Scholes continued where he'd left off against Liverpool but United could just not get a shot on goal. Stoke were irresistible in defence. Somewhere around the Quarter hour mark United where passing around the Stoke penalty area for two minutes without a break through.
It felt like a tornado passing right over a barn again and again, without any damage, that is until the barn decided to hit itself. Andy Wilkinson brought down Park in the box and a penalty was awarded to United and a yellow for Wilkinson for complaining in the aftermath.
Chicarito got the goal he was waiting for since his last in Anfield last year in what has been a disappointing season for him, after a cracker of a first. Half time ended as it had in the last leg of this fixture.
However there was no Crouc header to save the visitors as the Englishman was close to abysmal. He handled the ball after finding space in the first half, and the second half was no better. He hardly had a kick of the ball. When he did he had no support and the battle with Ferdinand was one was never going to win. Ferdinand was cool, calm and collected as ever and he dealt with the threat of the former Tottenham an superbly, although the Crouch was generally so isolated at it wasn't too tough.
Tony Pulis normally plays United with a defensive side but now even the two upfront were playing defensive. Amos wasn't tested in the first half. Ryan Shawcross was sublime. He was never caught out by the Red Devils' attack . He stayed close to Berbatov and Hernandez but the strikers linked so well it was a real challenge at times.
Paul Scholes showed United why they need a substitute for him, first thing this summer by dominating the midfield. His passing was incisive and rarely badly weighted. He could have had a early goal but his chance was just wide.
The second half bought more United domination and another penalty and another goal. Berbatov this time took the spot kick and sealed off what was a quite relaxed night for the Red-Devils.
The score-line didn't do justice to the possession the hosts had but reflected the fact hat witout Rooney and Welbeck they lack that finishing touch. Sir Alex may just be regretting the Morrison sale. Just maybe? But that is another story.
United announced a defence of Smalling, Evans, Ferdinand and Evra. The man between the sticks was Ben Amos making his premier league debut for the club.
The mid-field was Park, Carrick, Scholes and Valencia unchanged from their visit to Anfield.
Berbatov and Hernandez started upfront.
Stoke:Sorensen; Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson; Pennant, Palacios, Whitehead, Walters; Jones, Crouch. subs: Begovic, Whelan, Fuller, Delap, Etherington, Jerome, Woodgate
It felt like a tornado passing right over a barn again and again, without any damage, that is until the barn decided to hit itself. Andy Wilkinson brought down Park in the box and a penalty was awarded to United and a yellow for Wilkinson for complaining in the aftermath.
Chicarito got the goal he was waiting for since his last in Anfield last year in what has been a disappointing season for him, after a cracker of a first. Half time ended as it had in the last leg of this fixture.
However there was no Crouc header to save the visitors as the Englishman was close to abysmal. He handled the ball after finding space in the first half, and the second half was no better. He hardly had a kick of the ball. When he did he had no support and the battle with Ferdinand was one was never going to win. Ferdinand was cool, calm and collected as ever and he dealt with the threat of the former Tottenham an superbly, although the Crouch was generally so isolated at it wasn't too tough.
Tony Pulis normally plays United with a defensive side but now even the two upfront were playing defensive. Amos wasn't tested in the first half. Ryan Shawcross was sublime. He was never caught out by the Red Devils' attack . He stayed close to Berbatov and Hernandez but the strikers linked so well it was a real challenge at times.
Paul Scholes showed United why they need a substitute for him, first thing this summer by dominating the midfield. His passing was incisive and rarely badly weighted. He could have had a early goal but his chance was just wide.
The second half bought more United domination and another penalty and another goal. Berbatov this time took the spot kick and sealed off what was a quite relaxed night for the Red-Devils.
The score-line didn't do justice to the possession the hosts had but reflected the fact hat witout Rooney and Welbeck they lack that finishing touch. Sir Alex may just be regretting the Morrison sale. Just maybe? But that is another story.
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