Manchester United ease past Paul Lambert’s Stoke City

Manchester United have beaten Stoke City 3-0 in the Premier League.

New manager Paul Lambert was assessing the Stoke team from the stands but goals from Antonio Valencia, Anthony Martial and Romelu Lukaku meant they remain in the relegation zone.

It took just nine minutes for United to take the lead, when Valencia cut inside from the right before unleashing a left-footed drive across goal into the top left corner.

Xherdan Shaqiri then tested David de Gea from the edge of the box before Stephen Ireland sent the ball narrowly wide of the left post.

Maxim Choupo-Moting came close to levelling in the 26th minute when his rebound beat De Gea, but the ball was cleared off the line.

United took a two-goal lead into halftime when Paul Pogba found Martial to curl the ball into the top right corner.

Stoke had more chances before the break though. Kurt Zouma headed just wide before Shaqiri forced De Gea into a save.

Juan Mata came close twice in the second half, shooting past the left post before firing over from 12 yards.

The Spaniard then had the ball in the net in the 66th minute but it was ruled out for offside.

Lukaku completed the scoring 18 minutes from time when he was found by Martial to finish into the bottom left corner.

Marcus Rashford should have made it four late on, but his close-range volley was brilliantly saved by Jack Butland.

The result sees Manchester United move three points clear of third-placed Liverpool, while Stoke City remain in 18th.

Cover Photo: Old Trafford, Manchester by Sean MacEntee used under license by CC BY 2.0.