McTominay is brought down just outside of the penalty area by Martins Indi, and United are presented with one final chance to test Butland. It's Pogba who steps up and shoots, but he ends up sending his curling strike high over the top of the crossbar. That should be that.
90'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be two minutes of added time.
89'
The resulting set-piece initially fails to result in a chance on goal, but United are quickly able to regain possession and push forward once again. Martial breaks into the box and shoots, but his low effort is a tame one and rolls straight into the hands of Butland.
88'
Pogba rushes into the heart of the Stoke penalty area and tries his hardest to latch onto a deep cross from Valencia, but he can't quite get to the ball ahead of Martins Indi and has to settle for a corner instead of a chance on goal.
86'
Two wonderful chances for Diouf! A lofted pass is fired up towards the edge of the United penalty area and manages to find Diouf in a pocket of space. The substitute chests the ball down and immediately blasts a shot towards goal, where it's well saved by De Gea. He's then able to unleash another effort, but this time his strike can only find the side-netting.
84'
Great save by Butland! An absolutely excellent pass from Pogba is fired down the right flank and into the path of Valencia. The full-back is in acres of space and manages to fizz a pass across the face of goal, where Rashford forces Butland into making a diving save with a clever close-range flick.
83'
S. McTominay enters the game and replaces Mata.
Mata receives a rousing round of applause from the home fans as he's replaced by Scott McTominay.
82'
Stoke are eventually able to regain possession after a period of dominance from United, but they're immediately closed down by a sea of red shirts and almost allow the home side to carve out another chance on goal. Danger is only just averted, however, with the ball rolling harmlessly behind for a goal-kick.
80'
M. Rashford enters the game and replaces A. Martial.
M. Fellaini enters the game and replaces J. Lingard.
And the second is Marcus Rashford, with Martial making way.
With 10 minutes remaining and a comfortable lead under their belts, United have made a double substitution. The first player to come on is Marouane Fellaini, who replaces Lingard.
79'
Mata hits the post! Pogba cuts inside from the left wing and quickly curls a lovely cross into the heart of the visitors' penalty area. Mata sticks out a foot and sends a glancing effort past Butland, but it ends up hitting the far post instead of finding the back of the net.
Minute
Description
78'
It's all very comfortable for United at the moment. Stoke have put every player behind the ball as they try to avoid falling further behind, with only Diouf in any sort of attacking position. It looks set to be another miserable defeat for the Potters.
76'
Martial breaks into the left-hand side of the Stoke box as United push forward on yet another determined attack, but he can't quite guide a low shot past Martins Indi and Allen is eventually able to blast the ball up the pitch and momentarily away from danger.
74'
Bauer clumsily loses out on the halfway line, allowing United to counter-attack once again. Luckily for him, the home side can't quite make the mistake count, as Nemanja Matic is dispossessed inside the penalty area before he can unleash a shot.
72'
R. Lukaku has scored a goal for Manchester United! Assist by A. Martial.
It's been a very positive evening for Martial, who has constantly caused problems inside the final third of the pitch. However, Stoke caused problems for themselves once again, as they were sloppy in possession and then were made to pay for poor defending.
GOAL! It's another for United! A poor pass from Shaqiri can only find Pogba, and the home side are quickly able to burst forward on a counter-attack. Martial links up well with Lingard before firing a low cross into the path of Lukaku, who has his back to goal. He easily out-muscles both Wimmer and Martins Indi before blasting a rocket of a shot straight into the bottom corner of the net.
70'
M. Diouf enters the game and replaces P. Crouch.
Stoke have made their third and final alteration of the game, with Crouch making way for Mame Biram Diouf up front.
69'
Sobhi has found it difficult to get into the game since coming off the bench, but he's finally able to do so after good play by Ireland. He then unleashes a thumping shot from 25 yards out, but there's far too much power behind it and his effort fails to trouble De Gea.
68'
S. Ireland gets yellow.
Ireland is the latest player to be shown a yellow card after taking out Mata from behind with a mistimed sliding challenge out wide.
67'
R. Lukaku gets yellow.
There's a slightly coming together between Martins Indi and Lukaku after the defender sends the striker crashing to the ground. Lukaku isn't at all happy with the challenge, and he receives a booking after reacting angrily.
66'
Mata scores, but it won't count! Lingard and the Spaniard link up again once again as United keep putting plenty of pressure on the Stoke back line. It's Lingard who gets a shot away that flies over to the far post, where Mata bundles it into the back of the net ahead of Butland but is immediately flagged offside.
65'
Another good opportunity for Mata! A low cross is fired into the middle of the Stoke box and picks out Lingard in a promising position. Once again he cuts the ball back to Mata, who quickly shoots but fires his thumping strike over the top of the crossbar.
63'
J. Lingard gets yellow.
Lingard catches Fletcher from behind as the Scottish midfielder tries to break away, resulting in the United man receiving a yellow card.
62'
And now Mata goes close! A terrible pass from Zouma rolls straight past Fletcher and towards Lukaku, who immediately bombs towards the edge of the penalty area. He then cuts a pass over to Lingard, who quickly moves the ball over to Mata, and the Spaniard's first-time strike ends up bouncing just a few inches wide of the far post.
61'
Ramadan Sobhi enters the game and replaces E. Choupo-Moting.
Stoke have made their second change of the night, with Ramadan Sobhi coming on to replace Choupo-Moting.
60'
Huge opportunity for Martial to make it 3-0! Once again, Pogba causes all sorts of problems for the back line before sending a clever cross straight to Martial. The forward can't quite adjust his feet quickly enough before eventually getting a shot away, but it's just about smothered by Butland before it can find the back of the net.
58'
The Stoke defenders step off Martial and allow the Frenchman to break into the box, but he's eventually dispossessed by Ireland before he can get a shot away. Mata then chips a looping cross over to the right-hand side of the penalty area and into the feet of Pogba, who unleashes a strike of his own that deflects over the top of the crossbar.
56'
Shaqiri is bundled over out wide, presenting Stoke with a good opportunity to swing a cross into the United penalty area from the resulting set-piece. The Swiss midfielder's ball into the box is underhit, however, and it fails to pick out a team-mate in front of goal.
54'
Pogba looks set to shoot after being left in a pocket of space 25 yards out, but he instead pokes a pass through to Lukaku. The Belgian fails in his attempt to lift the ball over his head but instead spins and shoots, and his thumping strike is well held by Butland in the middle of the goal.
52'
Stoke are able to enjoy a relatively lengthy spell of possession inside the United half of the pitch after Bauer is fouled over on the right flank, but they're unable to make it count and the home side are eventually able to win the ball back without too many problems.
50'
Choupo-Moting twists and turns over on the left flank at the end of a decent attacking move from Stoke. He's initially able to get the better of Pogba before taking on Valencia, but he can't find a way past the Ecuadorian and is dispossessed on the edge of the box.
48'
Great goalkeeping by Butland! Zouma pushes forward but immediately loses possession, allowing Pogba to play a clever through-ball into the path of Martial. He only has Butland to beat, but the goalkeeper rushes down and deals with the danger brilliantly.
46'
K. Wimmer enters the game and replaces J. Tymon.
Tymon suffered a really tough first half, so he's been replaced by Kevin Wimmer during the break.
We're underway once again!
45' +1
What a save by De Gea! Shaqiri is left in a pocket of space just outside of the United penalty area, allowing him to control a chipped pass before easily rounding Jones. He then unleashes a great shot that looks set to find the bottom right-hand corner of the net, but De Gea sticks out an arm and does really well to deny the Switzerland international.
45'
The fourth official has indicated that there will be just one minute of added time.
44'
Crouch is fouled over on the right wing, and Stoke are presented with a really good opportunity to launch the ball into the box. The cross from the free-kick is a good one and manages to pick out Kurt Zouma, who rises high but can only send his headed effort well wide of the goal.
43'
Martial causes problems for the visitors once again as he breaks into the penalty area and chips a cross over to the far post. It manages to pick out Lukaku, who nods the ball down towards Lingard but can't quite tee up the forward.
42'
Almost a great chance for Lukaku to make it 3-0! Martial impresses once again as he bursts towards the Stoke box and sets up Lukaku, who looks set to test Butland but lets himself down at the vital moment with a heavy first touch.
40'
United are slightly sloppy on the ball inside their own half of the pitch and almost give away possession to Stoke, but Smalling is just about able to recover after looking as if he had lost the ball to Choupo-Moting in a dangerous position.
38'
A. Martial has scored a goal for Manchester United! Assist by P. Pogba.
GOAL! It's 2-0 to United! Tymon loses out out wide as he tries to push forward, allowing United to quickly hit the visitors on the counter. Pogba cuts inside from the right wing and pokes a pass over to Martial, who immediately curls a beautiful strike straight into the top right-hand corner of the net from 25 yards out.
Two goals, two assists for Pogba, who has really impressed so far this evening. He's put in a commanding display in the centre of the pitch, where the Stoke midfielders are really struggling to deal with his clever movement and vision.
37'
Stoke have been presented with several really good opportunities on the break, but so far they've failed to make any of them count. Bauer is the latest player to sprint deep inside the United half of the pitch before firing the ball into the box, but his cross towards Crouch is slightly scuffed and can't quite pick out the striker.
36'
Lovely play by Pogba! The Frenchman unleashes an outstanding lofted pass that sails over the Stoke defence and towards Shaw. The full-back keeps the ball in play and quickly cuts it back to Martial, who immediately shoots but has to settle for a corner after his strike is deflected out of play.
34'
Mata goes down inside the penalty area, but nothing is given! More good play by United looks as if it's going to result in a chance on goal for Mata, but the Spaniard goes down under a tackle from Martins Indi just as he's about to pull the trigger. Some United players and fans appeal for a penalty, but Mata himself doesn't seem convinced and indicates to the referee that he lost his footing.
32'
An attempted Stoke attacking move fails to come to anything, and Lingard quickly kick-starts a swift counter-attack. He bursts through the middle of the pitch and plays a one-two with Lukaku before trying to pick out a team-mate over on the left flank, but it's fired straight into the chest of Ireland and fails to find its way past the midfielder.
30'
United come back once again and are able to win themselves another corner after good play by Pogba out wide. The set-piece is sent short and worked over to Lingard, who curls a dangerous cross into the box that's well held by Butland.
28'
Lukaku charges down the right wing and cuts past both Tymon and Choupo-Moting before curling an excellent cross into the heart of the visitors' penalty area. Lingard throws himself towards the ball, but he can't quite get a head on it and Martins Indi is able to nod it behind for a corner.
26'
The resulting Stoke corner fails to result in a chance on goal, and it's then United's turn to counter-attack quickly. Pogba does really well over on the left wing before Martial unleashes a shot from 30 yards out, but there's far too much power behind it and it sails high over the crossbar.
25'
Vital block by Jones! A deep, looping cross looks as if it's going to be dealt with by De Gea at the far post, but he's beaten in the air by Crouch as he scrambles for the ball. The striker then nods it down to Choupo-Moting and sets him up to shoot, but his quick, close-range effort is brilliantly blocked by Jones.
24'
Allen is able to burst forward once again as Stoke hit United on another decent counter-attack. This time he heads down the right flank before firing a low cross into the box, where Jones is able to get on the ball ahead of Crouch.
22'
Another brilliant opportunity for Ireland! Bauer does well over on the right wing as he cuts inside and knocks a clever pass over to Shaqiri. The Switzerland international quickly pokes the ball towards Ireland and sets him up to shoot, but, once again, his strike is a scuffed one and rolls wide of the far post.
21'
Space opens up for Allen, allowing him to dart through the middle of the pitch and towards the United box. He then tees up Choupo-Moting to break into the penalty area and shoot, but his effort is sent straight into the hands of De Gea.
20'
Pogba cuts inside from the right flank and pokes the ball over to Lingard, who tries to move it into the penalty area but is immediately clattered into by Joe Allen, resulting in a free-kick for United in a very dangerous position. It's Mata who steps up and shoots, but his curling strike fails to find its way past the wall.
18'
Pogba is dispossessed by Fletcher on the halfway line, and Stoke counter-attack once again. This time they're unable to carve out a chance on goal, though, as Ireland is comfortably dealt with out wide and the home side quickly win back possession.
16'
What a chance for Ireland to equalise! The midfielder is left all alone on the edge of the United penalty area, allowing him to easily latch onto a bouncing Bauer cross. He takes a quick touch and shoots, but his effort on goal is a scuffed one and fails to trouble De Gea.
15'
A United attack fails to come to anything, allowing Stoke to hit their opponents on a quick counter-attack. Ireland does well in the middle of the pitch before Shaqiri fires a deep cross into the box, where it picks out Peter Crouch over on the left-hand side. The striker is immediately put under pressure, however, and he can't quite get a shot away.
13'
It's all United at the moment as they try to double their advantage at this early stage of the game. Valencia is just about dealt with by Tymon before Martial fires in a low cross from the left flank, but it's well met by Martins Indi and blasted away from danger.
11'
Acrobatic effort by Shaqiri! A chipped cross from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting can only find Chris Smalling, who nods the ball straight to Fletcher. The former United midfielder quickly launches a lofted pass over to Shaqiri, who forces David De Gea into making a save at the near post with an audacious scissor kick.
9'
A. Valencia has scored a goal for Manchester United! Assist by P. Pogba.
That was really good play by Pogba, who easily got the better of Stephen Ireland as he burst into the centre of the pitch. Stoke will be disappointed with their defending, though, as they allowed both the Frenchman and Valencia to find far too much space.
GOAL! What a strike by Antonio Valencia! Paul Pogba cuts inside from the left channel and manages to carve out a pocket of space for himself before poking a pass over to Valencia. The full-back beats Josh Tymon and then unleashes a curling shot from the edge of the box, sending the ball screaming past Jack Butland and into the top left-hand corner of the net.
8'
After a period on the back foot, Stoke are able to push forward on their first attacking move of the game. They move the ball around nicely before Darren Fletcher launches a cross-field lofted pass over towards Xherdan Shaqiri, who manages to latch onto it ahead of Shaw but ends up knocking the ball behind for a goal-kick.
7'
Martial goes down inside the penalty area, but nothing is given! Juan Mata cuts inside from the right flank and quickly lifts a looping cross into the middle of the box. It flies towards Martial, who rushes towards the ball but goes down under a tackle from Bauer before he can reach it. The United players and fans immediately scream for a penalty, but the referee isn't at all interested and waves play on.
5'
United comfortably hold onto possession before Phil Jones eventually tries to pick out Luke Shaw with a long ball over to the left wing. It looks set to find the full-back, but Mortiz Bauer is there to beat him to it at the vital moment.
3'
After an even start to the game from both sides, it's United who push forward on the first attack of the night. A lofted pass is fired up towards Romelu Lukaku, who quickly nods the ball over to Anthony Martial. The Frenchman then fizzes a pass across the face of goal and towards Jesse Lingard, but the in-form forward can't quite get to the ball in time and loses out to Bruno Martins Indi.
1'
We're off! Stoke get us underway, attacking from right to left.
Good evening and welcome to our live text commentary of today’s Premier League game between Manchester United and Stoke City at Old Trafford.
Chelsea’s disappointing draw at home to 10-man Leicester City on Saturday means United have been presented with a great opportunity to move three points clear in second place. A victory against their struggling opponents tonight will do just that, and a second win in as many games would also close to 12 points the gap between themselves and runaway leaders Manchester City, who lost for the first time this season yesterday evening.
After winning six out of seven Premier League games during November and December, the last month or so has been a slightly frustrating period for United. They’re unbeaten in their previous six league outings but have drawn three of those, and they will be aiming to pick up all three points here tonight before having to take part in tough back-to-back clashes against Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur.
Things remain bleak for Stoke, who head into this evening’s big clash aiming to avoid being handed their 13th defeat of the season. An FA Cup loss to fourth-tier Coventry City finally brought Mark Hughes’ reign in charge to a miserable end, leaving the Potters, who have won just two of their last 12 league games, stuck inside the relegation zone and in serious trouble.
Paul Lambert, most recently in charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers, was today announced as Stoke’s new manager, and he’ll watch tonight’s game from the stands before taking charge tomorrow. This evening’s encounter is certainly set to be a difficult one for his new side, who haven’t won at Old Trafford since 1976 and have taken points from a team in the top half of the table on just two occasions this season.
One of those came against their opponents tonight back at the start of the campaign, however, and Stoke have certainly proved themselves to be a thorn in United’s side in recent years. Each of the last three meetings between the two have ended in draws, with last season’s corresponding fixture finishing 1-1 after Joe Allen cancelled out Anthony Martial’s second-half strike.
There’s just under 15 minutes left to go until kick-off, so let’s have a look at how the two teams will be lining up this evening…
Manchester United substitutes: Pereira, Lindelof, Rojo, McTominay, Fellaini, Herrera, Rashford.
Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Shaw; Pogba, Matic; Mata, Lingard, Martial; Lukaku.
Stoke City substitutes: Grant, Edwards, Wimmer, Afellay, Adam, Sobhi, Diouf.
Stoke City XI (4-1-4-1): Butland; Bauer, Zouma, Martins Indi, Tymon; Fletcher; Shaqiri, Allen, Ireland, Choupo-Moting; Crouch.
Jose Mourinho has decided to make three changes to the United side that beat Everton 2-0 two weeks ago, with Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku returning to the starting line-up to replace Victor Lindelof, Marcos Rojo and Ander Herrera.
Meanwhile, Stoke caretaker manager Eddie Niedzwiecki has made five alterations to the team that featured in their last league outing, with the most notable inclusions being new signing Moritz Bauer and midfielder Stephen Ireland, who is set to make his first Premier League start since April 2015. Niedzwiecki has also handed places to Josh Tymon, Darren Fletcher and the recently returned Bruno Martins Indi, with Tom Edwards, Erik Pieters, Kevin Wimmer, Geoff Cameron and Charlie Adam all making way.
The two sides are making their way out onto the pitch, with just a few minutes to go until kick-off.
HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 2-0 STOKE CITY
So far, so good for United, who are able to head into the half-time break with a well-deserved lead thanks to a pair of excellent strikes from Valencia and Martial. They've caused plenty of problems for the Stoke defence every time they go forward, with the visitors particularly struggling out wide. The Potters have looked decent on the break, however, resulting in Ireland and Shaqiri both being presented with really good opportunities to fire their side back into the game.
The two teams are making their way back out on to the pitch ahead of the start of the second half.
FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 3-0 STOKE CITY
In the end, it was a comfortable evening for United, who had few problems breaking down a Stoke side that have struggled defensively all season. That was the case again tonight, as the Potters could do little about two brilliant, long-range strikes from Valencia and Martial before Lukaku returned to goalscoring form with an excellent finish in the 72nd minute. Stoke carved out a few decent chances in the first half but were on the back foot for the entirely of the second, resulting in a defeat that keeps them inside the bottom three.
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