Utd Kids Wife

United claimed a priceless first Premiership away victory of the season against Stoke thanks to a Javier Hernandez double against resilient opposition.

In a fraught week in Manchester with Rooney finally saying agreeing to remain and win four consecutive away draws United knew that nothing but all three points would do.

Alex Ferguson opted for Mexican striker Javier Hernandez to partner Dimitar Berbatov up front with O’Shea brought into left back due to his height while Patrice Evra was played in an unconventional left midfield slot.

Both sides started strong and United got the physical game they expected. Within the first half-hour United got the goal they craved. A corner was taken short, then delivered to the back post by the with-form Nani, where Nemanja Vidic found Hernandez. He somehow managed to swivel his head onto the ball into the back of the net. It was a great bit of improvisation and yet another example of his goal-poaching instincts.

With a few minutes to go to half-time Neville was perhaps lucky to remain on the pitch. Having being given an unwarranted yellow card earlier on a subsequent tackle was actually worthy of one but luckily for his the referee kept his card in his pocket. Ferguson was left with no choice but to bring on Wes Brown in the second half.

The second half continued much like the first with both sides battling hard for every tackle with Ferdinand and Vidic both working hard to keep out the opposition.

However, as has happened all too often with united they conceded the obligatory equaliser. With nine minutes remaining Tuncay picked the ball on the right wing cut in and curled in a stunning strike to give Van Der Sar no chance.

The goal could have destroyed Uniteds’ confidence, but the hunger that Ferguson has planted into each of his sides over the past two decades was evident but their response.

A cross from the right found Patrice Evra unmarked and his mis-hit volley fell to new fans favourite Hernandez who converted from close range.

It was a much needed away win and great for the teams confidence especially considering their next away game is against bitter rivals Man City.

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