Manchester United vs Stoke analysis: Anthony Martial the star as impressive United ease past Potters

United some way back to their best in win

(Getty Images)

STAR PLAYER

Anthony Martial. Adding to that he had produced in Friday's FA Cup win at Derby, the 20-year-old France forward turned out another excellent performance - and this time capped it with a delightful goal. This man really is something for United fans to be excited about.

TWEET OF THE MATCH

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Martial's goal. A fine move rounded off with a beautiful finish. Juan Mata skilfully guided the ball to Wayne Rooney and the captain lofted it to the unmarked Martial, who took one touch before sending a wonderful strike into the top corner of the net.

VIEW FROM THE BENCH

This game delivered virtually everything United boss Louis van Gaal and the club's fans could have wished for - a win, at home, secured with a decent attacking performance. It was almost possible to forget how difficult that has been for the Red Devils to achieve of late.

It was certainly not what Mark Hughes, on his return to his old club, would have hoped for on his 100th Premier League game in charge of Stoke, his team being comfortably beaten. He will be eager for his men to get back to playing at the Britannia Stadium - their last four games, all away, have seen them suffer 3-0 top-flight defeats either side of going out of two cup competitions.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

To compound a poor evening for the visitors, they picked up yet another injury in defence as Philipp Wollscheid came off in the first half. Hughes has brought in midfielder Giannelli Imbula, but his backline is looking incredibly threadbare and Stoke fans may well worry about the prospect of their impressive season to date starting to unravel.

WHO'S UP NEXT

Chelsea v Manchester United (Barclays Premier League, February 7)

Stoke v Everton (Barclays Premier League, February 6)

PA