Javier Hernandez and Nani scored either side of Dean Whitehead's effort as Manchester United moved three points clear at the top of the English Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Stoke
Javier Hernandez and Nani scored either side of Dean Whitehead's effort as Manchester United moved three points clear at the top of the English Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Stoke at Old Trafford here on Tuesday.
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A much-changed United made hard work of defeating a team they had beaten in 10 of their previous 13 matches.
But Nani, back in the side after a hip injury, found the corner of the net just after the hour to earn United the victory.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson can now look forward to Wednesday's match between title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City knowing the position of his side, still unbeaten in the league this season, at the top of the table is only likely to be strengthened.
The Red Devils are also nine points ahead of champions Chelsea as they look for a record 19th league title.
With Wayne Rooney out with an ankle problem, Rio Ferdinand rested and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar still out with 'flu, Ferguson made six changes to the side that won 2-1 at West Brom.
United were the first to threaten with Darron Gibson driving wide from distance.
But Stoke were predictably solid and right back Andy Wilkinson even got far enough forward to thump a shot against Nemanja Vidic.
Wilkinson was then forced into a fine block on Dimitar Berbatov after Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher combined to make space in the area for the Bulgarian.
More impressive hold-up play by Berbatov created the room on the edge of the area for Gibson to have another try at goal, with the Irishman's strike being deflected wide by Robert Huth.
Berbatov went closer still when Giggs had a shot deflected and the striker shot narrowly wide.
He threatened again with another shot that just missed the target before play was brought back for a Danny Collins foul on Nani, only for Giggs to shoot over from the resulting free-kick.
But in the 27th minute, United made the breakthrough in some style.
Berbatov worked the ball right to Nani, who whipped a cross towards the near post where Hernandez, whose run took him away from Ryan Shawcross, back-heeled past Thomas Sorensen for his ninth goal of the season.
Nani fired over with a free-kick as United pressed for a second goal before half-time.
Hernandez almost added a second when he was first to react to Nani's headed cross, only for Huth to deflect the ball wide.
Matthew Etherington had the visitors' first proper effort on goal when he shot over from 25 yards four minutes before the interval.
Etherington created more problems at the start of the second period, sending over a cross from the left that was glanced narrowly wide of goal by Tuncay.
But Stoke pulled level five minutes after the restart when Tuncay cut in from the left and sent over a cross that was glanced in by Whitehead.
Then Gibson's shot lacked the power to trouble Stoke keeper Thomas Sorensen.
But just after the hour mark, Nani swapped passes with Hernandez and with Danny Collins backing off, the Portuguese hit a powerful shot into the corner of the net.
Stoke had no response and Giggs also flicked a shot over the bar from a cross from Michael Owen as United pressed for a third goal.
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