Manchester: The thoughts of Manchester United’s fans may have been on the possible arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal but the players stayed focused to beat Stoke City 3-0 in a Premier League game at a rainy Old Trafford here, Monday.
Two superbly taken first half strikes, from Antonio Valencia and Anthony Martial, put United in command against a spirited Stoke side and Romelu Lukaku made sure of the win midway through the second half with a low drive.
It may not have been vintage United but after leaders Manchester City lost their unbeaten league record in a 3-4 reverse at Liverpool on Sunday, it was vital Jose Mourinho’s side took the chance to close the gap at the top to 12 points.
Full-back Valencia blasted United into a ninth minute lead after cutting inside on to his unfavoured – but still potent – left foot and hammering into the far corner, well beyond the reach of visiting keeper Jack Butland.
Stoke’s Stephen Ireland, then missed two good chances as the visitors showed plenty of attacking intent. But seven minutes before the interval, Martial made it 2-0 with a sweet first-time finish after being set up by Paul Pogba.
However, even though United took control in the second half, it was not until the 72nd minute though that the home side got the third goal – Lukaku wriggling to find enough space for a shot into the bottom corner after good work from Martial.
‘Great if Sanchez joins’
London: Jose Mourinho said Tuesday it would be ‘great’ if Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez became a Manchester United player as Manchester City’s interest in the Chilean has reportedly come to an end. However, Mourinho remained a bit reserved when asked to comment on Sanchez. “No news on Alexis Sanchez, he is an Arsenal player,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by the ‘BBC’. “If he stays it’s great for Arsenal, if he comes to us, great for us, if he goes to another club, great for them,” Mourinho said.
Reuters
