Analysis: Stoke City 0 Manchester United 2

Premier League, Sunday 14^th April 2013

Manchester United moved one step closer to the Premier League title with an assured win at Stoke City on Sunday. Michael Carrick opened the scoring within four minutes, before Robin van Persie ended his goal drought with a second-half penalty. Below are some thoughts from the game:

Jones coming of age

Phil Jones followed up his man of the match performance against Manchester City with another assured display against Stoke City, this time at right-back. Jones made four interceptions, more than any other player on the pitch, and his good play on the ball was best evidenced when he started the move leading to the penalty.

After a thrilling start to his United career, injuries and varying form have slowed his meteoric rise. However the 20 year old has recently been displaying his qualities on an impressively consistent basis, and is showing good assurance for one so young. Good games in all three of his common positions at times this season have highlighted the value of his versatility. His right-back performance against Stoke cannot be underestimated also for the usefulness in terms of bringing competition to keep improving Rafael.

Rooney in midfield

Wayne Rooney lined up alongside Michael Carrick in the centre of midfield and gave a glimpse into what could be a different role for the Englishman. Rooney impressed with his range of passing, something probably aided by the absence of much pressure from Stoke. There were some wayward passes, something that may prove more costly in midfield than up front, and that is something Rooney will need to be wary of should he play deeper more often. The occasional foray forward, bursting from deep into attack, gave an insight into some of the benefits Rooney could bring to midfield, and his energy and dynamism would certainly not go a miss. This was most perfectly typified by Rooney's advanced contribution in the move leading to the penalty. Whether he has the discipline and midfield expertise to play there regularly against better teams than Stoke though remains open to debate.

Going Forward

A good team performance was United was the perfect cure to last week’s defeat at the hands of Manchester City. Rooney in midfield gave some food for thought, but good games from regular performers Carrick, Ferdinand and Vidic should not go unnoticed either. With six games of the season remaining, the Reds next face West Ham United on Wednesday evening.

Ratings

[4-4-2]: De Gea-7, Jones-7, Ferdinand-7, Vidic-7, Evra-7, Valencia-5, Carrick-7*, Rooney-7, Kagawa-6, Hernandez-6, van Persie-7

(Welbeck-6)

*Man of the match