Stoke City – Manchester United

1. Live commentary will appear here from 1405 BST.

2. Manchester United head to struggling Stoke looking to tighten their grip on top spot after their derby defeat last time out.

3. To help them in that aim, Sir Alex Ferguson has named a hugely attacking line-up, with Robin van Persie, Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney, Shinji Kagawa and Antonio Valencia all starting.

4. Nonetheless, the United manager has said he expects a <a href="http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1410167/ferguson-braced-for-'difficult'-stoke-test?cc=5739" target="_blank">"difficult"</a> test against Stoke.

5. Reports in the papers today suggested that Tony Pulis could be set for the sack if Stoke are on the end of a heavy defeat here. He is certainly a manager under pressure.

6. The teams are out onto the pitch, we are just moments away from kick-off...

7. 1'

   Stoke get this first half underway...

8. 1'

   It looks like Rooney is slotting into the middle of the pitch with Carrick. Kagawa is on the left and Valencia on the right.

9. 2'

   Some nice work from Walters on the left as he manages to get a cross past Jones and into the box but De Gea does well to claim the ball.

10. 3'

    Carrick looks for the run of Hernandez with a clever ball but Shawcross is there to head clear.

11. 2'

    Jones gets forward down the right for United and does well to win the corner off Walters.

12. 4'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR UNITED. CARRICK.</b>

13. 4'

    Stoke fail to deal with Van Persie's corner and Carrick is able to stab home from close-range past Begovic. Such a sloppy goal to concede.

14. 5'

    A terrible start for Stoke then and they have given themselves a real uphill challenge from the off.

15. 6'

    Rooney picks out Valencia on the right with a good ball and the winger does well to win another corner for United.

16. 7'

    A well-worked corner sees Evra get on the end of Van Persie's delivery but the full back sends his effort wide of the target.

17. 8'

    A very lively start from United who are taking the game to their opponents and really stretching the play.

18. 9'

    Jones does well to win the header for Stoke and lays the ball off to Walters but the Irishman's first-time shot is tame and drifts well wide.

19. 10'

    Conceding that goal really was the worst possible start for Stoke. United are fully settled into their game now and playing full of confidence.

20. 11'

    Stoke struggling to get the ball at the moment with Rooney dictating play in the middle of the park.

21. 12'

    Rooney runs into some space and decides to take fire at goal from the edge of the box, bringing out a top save from Begovic with a stinging shot.

22. 13'

    United win another corner. This is relentless from the Red Devils at the moment.

23. 13'

    Van Persie's corner, though, is poor as he puts way too much on it and it sails out for a goal kick.

24. 14'

    Rooney seeing plenty of the ball at the moment. He looks at home in this deeper role.

25. 19'

    Stoke win a free-kick in a dangerous position. A real chance to get some bodies in the box...

26. 20'

    Whelan picks out Huth with a top delivery and the German sends the ball just wide of the post with a strong header. Unlucky.

27. 21'

    Huth brings an end to a United attack by taking out Hernandez. He came through the back of him and was lucky not to pick up a booking.

28. 22'

    United with 62% of the possession so far.

29. 23'

    United win another corner. This time Shotton blocks Evra's ball into the box.

30. 24'

    Stoke are, surprisingly, really struggling to defend these set-pieces.

31. 25'

    Carrick gets on the end of Rooney's corner but he can only send it wide from a tight angle.

32. 26'

    Adam is caught dwindling in possession by Van Persie who then tries to lob Begovic, who is off his line, from distance. His effort sails wide, however.

33. 27'

    Stoke look short of ideas at the moment, with United barely even having to have broken a sweat so far.

34. 29'

    Valencia does well to win a flick-on before sprinting down the right-hand side. He cuts inside but his pass to Van Persie in the middle is cut out by Shawcross. Unlucky.

35. 31'

    Rooney finds Van Perise with an early pass that surprises the Stoke defence. The striker has a pop-shot at goal, forcing Begovic to make the save.

36. 32'

    Evra links up with Kagawa who then cuts in from the left to pick out Rooey in the middle. His pass is overhit though and it runs out for a goal kick.

37. 33'

    Hernandez latches onto a long ball over the top of the Stoke defence but Shawcross does well to clear the danger.

38. 34'

    Rooney fires a free-kick into the Stoke box but the ref blows for a foul following a high boot from Hernandez on Wilkinson.

39. 35'

    Stoke coming into the game a little bit more now, starting to look like their typical selves. United are not finding as much space as they did in the opening exchanges of the match.

40. 36'

    Wilkinson has had to have some treatment on his head due to Hernandez's challenge. He is ok to continue, however.

41. 37'

    Hernandez tries to beat the offside trap once again but Begovic does well to sprint off his line and clear the danger.

42. 38'

    Stoke are defending with a high line. They have been ok so far but you would back the pace of Hernandez to take advantage of all the extra space behind them.

43. 39'

    18 different players have scored for United in the league this season - a club record for most different scorers in a Premier League season.

44. 41'

    Both teams giving the ball away a fair bit at the moment. Very scrappy.

45. 42'

    Shotton fires in a long throw but Van Persie does well to head clear. United counter through Kagawa who is eventually brought down for a free-kick.

46. 43'

    Rooney and Van Persie stand over the free-kick...

47. 43'

    It's Rooney who takes it but he bends his effort just wide of the post. Unlucky.

48. 45'

    Wilkinson drives forward down the right before cutting inside. Space opens up for him but his shot canons off a United defender and away to safety.

49. 45'

    Three minutes of injury time to be played.

50. 45'

    Adam curls a dangerous ball into the box which Vidic is forced to clear off for a corner. The Stoke crowd sense blood.

51. 45'

    Adam's corner is punced clear by De Gea and it soon falls back to the Scot, who wins another corner.

52. 45'

    Adam picks out Shawcross. The ball seems to take a touch off Vidic on its way out of play but the ref gives a goal kick.

53. 45'

    And there goes the half-time whistle. United had it easy in the opening exchanges but Stoke have come into this game more and more the longer it has gone on, and will be pleased with their display in the final 20 minutes.

54. 45'

    And there goes the half-time whistle. United had it easy in the opening exchanges but Stoke have come into this game more and more the longer it has gone on, and will be pleased with their display in the final 20 minutes.

55. 46'

    United get this second half underway...

56. 46'

    No changes from either side, so we are as we were.

57. 47'

    Stoke will be hoping they start this second half like they ended the first, rather than how they started it.

58. 48'

    United win yet another corner...

59. 49'

    Rooney delivers but Stoke are able to deal with it and clear the danger.

60. 50'

    Adam spots the run of Walters through the middle and tries to pick him out but he just overhits it and De Gea is able to come out and collect.

61. 51'

    Wilkinson had to have some stitches for his head at half time. He no longer has the bandage though, so there is some consolation.

62. 52'

    Adam with another early ball into the box. He tries to pick out the run of Jones but United head it clear.

63. 53'

    United counter quickly down the other end of the pitch. Hernandez does brilliantly to pick out Van Persie but the angle is too tight and the striker can only hit the side netting.

64. 54'

    Adam is starting to become a lot more influential for Stoke as this game has gone on. He could be key for the home side getting themselves back into this game.

65. 55'

    Stoke upping the pressure now. Vidic is forced to come out of position to thwart Jones.

66. 55'

    Nzonzi picks out Shotton at the far post who tees up Walters in the middle. The striker was always leaning backwards though and skies his shot over the bar.

67. 56'

    Stoke are getting closer and as a result the home crowd are getting louder.

68. 58'

    Stoke seeing plenty of possession now, it is United's turn to sit deep. But everyone knows how dangerous they can be on the counter attack so the home side will have to be careful.

69. 59'

    Adam decides to have a go from distance and brings out a decent save from De Gea. Was always going to save it though.

70. 60'

    Tony Pulis will be thinking about making a change soon. Peter Crouch and Cameron Jerome are both warming up.

71. 61'

    Adam picks up the ball in his own half and attempts to catch De Gea off his line, but the keeper is able to get back and make a comfortable save.

72. 62'

    Carrick is caught in possession by Jones who cuts in before taking aim at goal, but he sends it high and wide.

73. 63'

    Stoke are finding it difficult to sustain their attacks. They are coming to an end quickly, either by a snap-shot from distance or a poor cross.

74. 64'

    Rooney sends a set-piece into the box but Jones does well to head clear. Adam picks it up and is brought to ground for the free-kick.

75. 65'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Valencia goes into the book for failing to let Adam take a quick free-kick.

76. 66'

    Penalty for United as Wilkinson clearly brings down Van Persie after a clever turn in the area from the Dutchman.

77. 66'

    Van Persie steps up to take it...

78. 67'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL FOR UNITED. VAN PERSIE.</b>

79. 67'

    Van Persie slots it home into the bottom-right corner. The Dutchman finally ends his goal drought and is clearly delighted in doing so.

80. 68'

    It seems a long way for Stoke now. They have been playing well in this half but at the same time they have never really looked that threatening.

81. 69'

    Van Persie's goal is his first in 12 hours and 31 minutes for Manchester United.

82. 70'

    Adam picks out Shotton who turns Evra in the box. He takes aim at goal but was never troubling De Gea with his effort.

83. 71'

    A penalty shout for Stoke as Vidic slips in the area and brings down Jones in the process. Nothing given.

84. 72'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Stoke bring on Jerome for Cameron.

85. 73'

    United are still the only Premier League team not to have a penalty given against them this season.

86. 74'

    United looking very relaxed after that second goal. Back to playing football like they were at the beginning of the game.

87. 76'

    Evra gets to the byline and tries to pull the ball back into the middle but Huth is there to make the block and avert the danger.

88. 77'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Stoke bring on Owen for Walters. He gets a good reception from the United fans.

89. 78'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> United also make a change, bringing on Welbeck for Hernandez.

90. 79'

    Adam picks up the ball on the edge of the box and sets to shoot only to be tackled by Carrick. The Stoke player reacts by bringing down his opponent.

91. 81'

    Adam whips a free-kick into the Stoke box that eludes everybody, but not De Gea who makes a vital save and turns the ball round the post.

92. 82'

    Jones gets forward down the right and tries to pick out one of the United shirts in the middle but his cross deflects off for the corner.

93. 83'

    Van Persie keeps attempting to take the corner, but the wind is getting in his way!

94. 84'

    He eventually whips it in but Carrick heads it well over.

95. 84'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Stoke bring on Crouch for Jones.

96. 85'

    Shotton picks up the ball 30 yards out and decides to shoot. His effort sails well over the bar, much to the annoyance of the home support.

97. 86'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Jerome picks up a caution for a late tackle on Vidic.

98. 87'

    Stoke to their credit are still making a decent fight of it. They haven't totally collapsed after that second goal.

99. 88'

    Whelan decides to shoot from distance but his effort sails well wide. You can feel the frustration around the Britannia after that one.

100. 89'

     Shotton does well to get to the byline for Stoke but he gets his cross all wrong and it sails off for a goal kick. That just about sums up his side's day.

101. 90'

     Three minutes of injury time to be played.

102. 91'

     A very professional performance this has been from United. Ferguson will be pleased with his side's display today.

103. 93'

     And there goes the final whistle. United got the early goal and always looked in control. Stoke threatened for a period but the away side simply scored another to kill the game off. The Potters are in big trouble.

104. 93'

     <a href="http://espnfc.com/uk/en/gamecast/364139/gamecast.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739" target="_blank">That is it from the Britannia, but join us for live commentary of the FA Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Manchester City.</a>

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