Manchester United head to the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day, as Louis van Gaal seeks to get his side out of a patch of bad form and calm speculation about his future by securing all three points against Stoke City.
The Potters have provided tough opposition for the Reds over the Premier League years, running United close in games before fizzling out in the end. The Britannia also provides an intimidating atmosphere for away sides, with the proverbial cold, wet and windy cliches being thrown out at every opportunity.
However, there have been some great goals scored by United players in this fixture in the past, and we’ve picked out some of the best below:
Cristiano Ronaldo – Premier League, 2008
YouTube: Manchester United 5-0 Stoke City, 15 November 2008
A simply breathtaking strike from the Portuguese great as he beats Thomas Sorensen in the Stoke goal with a swerving free-kick to notch his 100th goal for the Reds. The technique to strike the ball was superb and the swerve completely flummoxes the Dane in the goal in what would eventually end in a 5-0 rout
Danny Welbeck – Premier League, 2008
YouTube: Welbeck’s Stunning 30-Yarder Against Stoke City On His League Debut
What a stunning way to mark your Premier League debut for Manchester United. Receiving the ball after a one-two with Manucho, the born-and-bred Mancunian unleashed an absolute belter from about thirty yards, leaving Sorensen standing and the ball nestling inches below the crossbar and in the back of the net.
Ashley Young – Capital One Cup, 2013
YouTube: Ashley Young goal v Stoke City (Ray Hudson commentary)
Absolute belter from the utility man as he launches a bazooka of a shot past Sorensen after receiving the ball off a one-two with Javier Hernandez. The ball seems to go at 200 km/h as it hits the back of the net and Young follows the goal with a great knee slide celebration.
Patrice Evra – Capital One Cup, 2013
YouTube: Patrice Evra goal v Stoke City (Ray Hudson commentary)
Great goal from the full-back as the Frenchman comes from just inside the Stoke half, receiving the ball from Young in the box, taking a good first touch before coolly curling it past Sorensen into the right-hand corner of the net. For a full-back, that is simply a phenomenal finish and it was Evra’s first goal for United in almost a year.
