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 4-3 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. Mourinho omitted winger Henrikh Mkhitaryan from the squad amid reports that Arsenal were interested in him as part of a swap deal for Chile forward Sanchez, who is no longer a target for Manchester City according to British media. 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 goalkeeper Jack Butland. Stoke's new manager Paul Lambert, appointed earlier on Monday, watched from the stands, with the sacked Mark Hughes' former assistant Eddie Niedzwiecki in charge of the team.

Source: The Telegraph January 16, 2018 21:22 UTC