15.04 – Stoke have a poor record away to United and the way this game has begun, it looks set to continue, with United pressing heavily.

Scholes is puling the strings in midfield, and his clever through ball finds Van Persie, though the Dutchman is adjudged to be offside.

15.39 – United have had more of a solid look about them since equalising.

Stoke appear to have lost some confidence and are attacking less, while Rooney continues to look a threat, with Scholes increasingly beginning to exert his influence as the game progresses.

15.54 – Meanwhile, it’s been relatively quiet in the other Premier League games, with only one goal scored from Liverpool’s Sterling.

16.01 – So at half-time, United appear to be in control of this game.

They’ve done well to fight their way back into it, after that early setback, and have dominated the midfield battle for the most part.

However, Stoke continue to pose a threat on the break, with Crouch’s height occasionally being used to full effect, so it would be foolish to write the visitors off at this stage.

16.20 – Out of nowhere, Kightly goes on a driving run, evading a limp Ferdinand challenge, and beating De Gea with aplomb (59 mins).

Stoke are right back in this game, as Man United’s dodgy defence costs them again.

16.38 – As the scoreline suggests, it’s been a game in which some excellent attack play has been combined with several instances of truly woeful defending by both sides.

While Alex Ferguson will be pleased with what ultimately looks to be a comfortable win for United, he’ll be concerned at the at times unconvincing manner of their defending.

Both De Gea and Ferdinand were poor for their opponents’ first and second goals respectively.