Stoke can't do it on a rainy night in Manchester.

The drought is over. The Old Trafford faithful were finally treated to a goal in the first half of a home game for the first time since the 30th September. Eleven home games, or eight hours and 40 minutes if you prefer. What is more surprising is that it was the first time since the Manchester Derby in April last year that United managed to score two in the first half of a home game.

Before the game, the club paid tribute to the victims of the Munich Air Disaster, with a giant surfer flag of the Busby Babes rippling across the Stretford End and the tribute song the ‘Flowers of Manchester’ echoed across the tannoy.

United were good value for their first half lead. Young Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, who had another solid game, put in a great cross for Jesse Lingard to head home into the Stoke goal. That was a sign of things to come. United had constant joy down Stoke’s left hand side. Every time they broke forward they looked to supply Anthony Martial, who would drift in from the left on his much stronger right foot and leave Stoke’s right-back Glen Johnson with twisted blood over and over again.

United’s second was a fantastic example of the counter-attacking football that fans have been used to over the last 20 years or so. It started on the edge of United’s penalty area, and in a matter of seconds Rooney was digging out a pass to the left-hand side where Martial was waiting. One touch to bring it under control. The second to whip it, right-footed, past a rooted Jack Butland.

Given their comfortable position in the game, and their inconsistent form recently, it would have been easy for them to go into the second half and play without any real attacking intent. However eight minutes into the second half Daley Blind’s forward pass to an unmarked Juan Mata triggered the third, with Mata finding Martial through a cute pass in behind Stoke’s defence, and Martial feeding the ball across the six-yard box to Wayne Rooney. That goal took Rooney’s tally for United to 244, five behind Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time record.

United showed a ruthlessness that has been missing from so many of their performances this season. They showed a real intent to go out and win the match, and could have easily had a couple more. The question now is, can they get the consistency in their results which can secure a Champions League spot. Up next it’s Chelsea on Sunday.

Photo Credit: Aaron Campbell