Player Ratings: Manchester United 4-2 Stoke City

• 
  7

  0

    

  Manchester United

  David de Gea

  A quiet afternoon on the whole for Spaniard, but still had to pick the ball out of his net twice. Made a crucial save from Jonathan Walters when United were behind.
• 
  6

  0

  Rafael

  Was pegged back more than he would have liked due to the threat of Michael Kightly but dealt with him well generally, even if it limited opportunities to get forward.
• 
  7

  0

  Patrice Evra

  Largely composed performance from the French left-back who, unlike Rafael was happy to get forward and support Danny Welbeck as much as possible as United came back from a goal down.
• 
  6

  5

  Rio FerdinandFlop of the Match

  Was at fault for the Potters' opening goal as he found himself in a muddle with Michael Carrick and allowed Kightly to run straight through before slotting home.
• 
  5

  0

  Jonny Evans

  A steady performance from the Northern Irish international, who dealt well with the aerial presence of Peter Crouch and was calm and composed on the ball.
• 
  7

  0

  Antonio Valencia

  A superb performance from the Ecuadorian, who proved a constant menace to the Stoke defence with his pace. Provided the cross for Van Persie's strike.
• 
  3

  3

  Michael Carrick

  A steady performance from United's Mr Reliable. Always available for a pass and pulled the strings in the middle of the park throughout.
• 
  6

  0

  Paul Scholes

  Another masterclass in midfield play from the United maestro, who showed his usual calmness in possession and dictated the tempo of the match.
• 
  11

  1

  Wayne RooneyTop of the Match

  A successful afternoon for Rooney, who recovered from the setback of scoring an early own goal to score the two goals he needed to reach 200 goals in club football. Also provided an assist for Welbeck's strike.
• 
  5

  5

  Danny Welbeck

  A superb performance from the Englishman, whose movement was too much for the Stoke defence to deal with, took his goal well and showed a good understanding with his fellow frontmen.
• 
  8

  2

  Robin van Persie

  The Dutchman took a while to get going but his impact was devastating thereafter as he conjured up a magical strike as well as setting up both of Rooney's goals.

Substitutions

• 
  5

  0

  Anderson

  Put himself about well in the 25 minutes he was on. Dynamic performance as he looked to keep United pressing forward.
• 
  1

  2

  Nani

  Replaced Valencia, and a few neat flicks aside, did little during his time on the pitch.
• 
  2

  1

  Chicharito

  Had little time to make any impact.

 

Stoke City

2.68

1

1

• 
  1

  2

  Asmir Begovic

  Had hardly anything to do throughout apart from take the ball out of his net on four occasions. Did produce a good stop from an Evans header.
• 
  1

  1

  Geoff Cameron

  Steady performance from the American utility man, who always provided an outlet on the right flank but will be disappointed in how he dealt with Van Persie's cross for the equaliser.
• 
  1

  2

  Robert Huth

  The German could not be blamed for any of the goals but struggled to contain the movement in front of him of Rooney, Van Persie and Welbeck.
• 
  1

  0

  Ryan Shawcross

  A fantastic performance from the former United centre-half, who seemed buoyed by his ex-manager's comments before the match. Dominant throughout.
• 
  0

  1

  Marc Wilson

  Was given a tough time by Antonio Valencia, who caused numerous problems for the left-back, who still made a number of forward forays in spite of his defensive struggles.
• 
  0

  1

  Steven N'Zonzi

  A solid performance in midfield from the athletic midfield man, who set up Kightly's strike after a brilliant tackle on Scholes in the middle of the park.
• 
  1

  1

  Charlie Adam

  A valiant effort in midfield from the Scottish international, who probed with crisp passing throughout, but struggled against the dominant duo of Scholes and Carrick.
• 
  0

  1

  Dean Whitehead

  Tried to get his foot on the ball but struggled to deal with the Manchester United movement in the middle of the park and the game often went by him.
• 
  1

  0

  Michael Kightly

  The Potters' best player on the day as he pegged Rafael back and sped past Ferdinand to give his club a glimmer of hope. Was unlucky to be on the losing side.
• 
  0

  1

  Jonathan Walters

  Tried to push Evra back with a number of surging runs but was often found helping out the man behind him in Geoff Cameron as United broke with pace.
• 
  1

  1

  Peter Crouch

  A largely peripheral figure as United dominated possession. He was undone in the physical battle by the determined pair of Evans and Ferdinand.

Substitutions

• 
  1

  1

  W. Palacios

  Had little time to make an impact.
• 
  0

  1

  Matthew Etherington

  A few promising runs as he tried to get the Potters back into the contest, but could not have any telling contribution.
• 
  1

  1

  Michael Owen

  Spent most of his time in a midfield role as he struggled to get forward and support his fellow forwards, offered very little.