Five talking points from Manchester United's 3-2 win over Stoke City

Hernandes’ goal

Manchester United had to come from behind twice, and only just managed to beat Stoke City 3-2 and settle some nerves at Old Trafford. Goals from Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Chicharito were enough to claim all three points for United. So let us look at the major talking points from the game.

Old Trafford is a fortress no longer

As Ferguson finally called it quits at the end of last season, there were talks about the end of an era and how United were going to cope without him. But what has been evident at least so far this season, has been the fact that the aura, around Old Trafford is almost non-existent. No longer do teams come to Old Trafford accepting defeat. And as West Brom and to an extent Southampton showed last week, if you get at this United side, they can be beaten.

Stoke City took an early lead and looked threatening every time they got forward, which they did with alarming regularity, something that is unlikely to please David Moyes. Although United won the game in the end, they looked far from comfortable. A Stoke City side who hadn’t won at Old Trafford since 1976, certainly took the game to United made them work hard for what was only their second win at home so far in the league. After the end of an era, now, the aura of invincibility at Old Trafford is seemingly also gone.

De Gea was outstanding yet again but United’s backline was far from convincing

Brilliant De Gea

After the game, Moyes was quick to praise De Gea for keeping United in the game with some fantastic saves. And although he conceded two goals, there was nothing he could have done about either of them and was one of the main reasons why United were in the game long enough for their forwards to win them the game in the final 15 minutes.

Whilst De Gea was calm and composed, the same couldn’t be said about the defense in front of him. In the absence of Rafael, Smalling started at right back and never looked too comfortable in terms of his positioning. Both Jonny Evans and Phil Jones barely won anything in the air all afternoon against Peter Crouch and the physical approach of Stoke certainly rattled them. Phil Jones, conceded a cheap free kick at the edge of the box towards the end of the first half, which was beautifully converted by Arnautovic. Throughout the game, the defense looked shaky and not in a long time have united looked so vulnerable and that is certainly something that Moyes has to work on.

United’s attacking trio save Moyes’s blushes

RvP came up with the first goal

With some of their languid attacking play, Manchester United looked like they weren’t going to score past the resolute Stoke defense and some of Moyes’s tactics seemed puzzling to say the least. Early in the game, it looked as though the best United could do was hit them from long range and hope one of them go in. And with Nani having one of his off days and Kagawa on the left wing, United lacked width.

It was only after the introduction of Januzaj that things livened up. The young Belgian was ready to take on anyone and provided Moyes’s men with the impetus, to go forward and get the win. After Van Persie scored expertly after Rooney header was parried away by Begovic, it looked like United were back on track. But it took the arrival of Chicharito in the 67^th minute for Rooney to move into central midfield alongside Carrick and get out of Kagawa’s way for United to create a proper opening. When the goals finally did arrive, it was Rooney who flicked in from a Van Persie corner to equalize and the stage was set for super sub Chicharito, to go on and claim the winner, just two minutes later. In the process, saving Moyes’s blushes as a sense of relief crept over Old Trafford.

Moyes really needs to find someone to complement Carrick

Michael Carrick

After an excellent performance in Europe, Moyes would have been hoping for more of the same from his midfield. But, unfortunately for him, Carrick looked like the only united player capable of carving out an opening. In his twilight years, Giggs, who started on Wednesday night against Real Sociedad, was unlikely to play a part in this fixture. This meant that Moyes had to find a partner for the metronomic Carrick.

With Fellaini just getting used to life at United and Anderson far too injury prone, Cleverley got the nod against Stoke City. Unfortunately for Moyes, he didn’t make the most of his opportunity. Cleverley started nervously and was at fault for the opening goal, as it he who gave the ball away which led to Pieters crossing for Crouch to score. And although he looked better as the game went on, he looked far too anxious and didn’t look too comfortable in the final third. Moyes certainly has a job in his hands as he tries to figure out who to play alongside Carrick in the center of the park.

Hughes can certainly take heart from his side’s performance

Hughes – Should feel proud of his side

Although he would be disappointed not to have come away from Old Trafford with at least a point, Hughes can certainly take heart from his side’s spirited away performance. Going into the game against the defending champions on their home turf, a place in which you haven’t for almost four decades, you could have been forgiven for thinking that Stoke would be happy to settle for a draw.

Stoke City however, had other plans. They took the lead in the opening few minutes and certainly looked threatening at set pieces and anytime the ball went into the box. Although he played for little over 45 minutes, Hughes will certainly have been enjoyed the performance of Marko Arnautovic, who scored his first goal in almost a year with a sublime free kick. After he went off injured, Stoke lost some momentum and eventually ended up on the losing side. Even though this was their fifth defeat of the season, there were certainly plenty of positives from the performance that Hughes will take back to the drawing board.