Manchester United Find Their Shooting Boots.

Sir Alex Fergurson could not have asked for a better response from his champions. After been beaten 2 - 1 away to Arsenal the previous weekend and a lurkluster Carling Cup performance against Championship side QPR; the Red Devils dug deep into their reserves and produced the stuff of champions against Stoke City.

Given that all the top 4 sides were on action on the same day, United must have been feeling the pressure. Another loss would have seen them slip further behind Chelsea and Liverpool, the league leaders. This must have fired up the United lads who came out with guns blazing.

Cristiano Ronaldo spectacular freekick in the 4th minutes opened the goal galore. Stoke City did well to keep United at bay until the 44th when Ronaldo and Carrick combined nicely to create an opening for Carrick who did not hesitate to let go a fierce left shot which ended in the back of the net.The second half saw Barbatov net his 6th goal for the Red Devils which was United's 3rd for the day.

The Reds saved the best for last. Second half substitutions saw the introduction of new faces. The substitutes wasted no time getting into gear. Manucho exchanged laid up the ball nicely for Wersack, another substitute, who blasted a thunderbolt which the Stoke City goalie could do nothing to stop it ending at the back of the net.

Cristiano Ronaldo put the icing on the cake late into the second half when he blasted another freekick home.