Manchester United got off to a putrid start against Stoke City, but they clawed themselves in front just before the halftime break and are on the verge of taking total control of the match. Wayne Rooney has been responsible for goals on either end, while Robin van Persie has scored again to give United a 2-1 lead at the break.
Manchester United vs. Stoke City: Halftime score 2-1, Rooney with a goal on each end
Rooney’s own goal came 11 minutes in, and it looked like the start of a rough day at the office for him. He hadn’t looked sharp going forward up until that point and when he nodded in a Stoke free kick, it was just the most recent of many errors. He quickly redeemed himself, however, hitting a class header on the other end after 27 minutes off of a Robin van Persie cross.
Van Persie went on to get a goal of his own, just before the break. Antonio Valencia set him up with a great low cross, and van Persie got himself into perfect position to touch in the goal with his left foot. United should start playing a much more relaxed and fluid game in the second half, and it's tough to see Stoke getting back into it by any means other than another set piece goal.
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