Manchester United vs. Stoke: 5 Things We Learned About the Champions

Manchester United had a pretty easy game today against Stoke City. The Red Devils eventually ended up 2-0 winners against a team that offered very little opposition.

This win, coupled with Manchester City's loss to Everton, leaves both Manchester clubs tied at the top of the table separated only by goal difference.

The game itself didn't provide many talking points, except for the fact that United could have had three penalties and not the two that they ended up with.

With the two teams set to do battle in April, the remainder of the season looks like it will be very exciting.

Here are five things we learned about Manchester United's two games.

Johnny Evans Can Be Mistake Free

Johnny Evans followed up decent displays against Arsenal and Liverpool with a solid performance here.

Granted, the Manchester United defense as a whole was not troubled much, but Evans did nothing to make himself stand out in a bad way. Whatever little Stoke City did conjure, Evans was part of a defence that dealt with things easily.

He even had some decent contributions to the attack.

Paul Pogba Is Another Great Talent

We've seen glimpses of Paul Pogba's talent in the Carling Cup this season, and he showed it again here in his league debut.

The youngster had a great cameo and almost got a goal in the closing moments. Although Manchester United let another great young talent go, Ravel Morrison, they have a wonderful prospect in Paul Pogba.

Manchester United Was Very Right to Coax Paul Scholes out of Retirement

Paul Scholes does not look like he has missed a beat since returning to play for his club. We've seen it since his return, but Scholes has really shown that he, or someone like him, is the missing piece for the club.

He had a great day in midfield and he ran the show.

While the team has the likes of Tom Cleverley, Anderson and so forth, Scholes' form may prompt Ferguson to ask him to stay on for another year.

They Are Still the Champions

Manchester City may have beaten Manchester United the last time these teams faced, but they are not the better team.

Until a new champion emerges, Manchester United is still the top dog in the league. The United fans may not have forgotten it, though, surely they have had a worry or two so far this season, but it still has to be said.

Manchester United took care of and subdued Stoke City while teams like Manchester City and Chelsea struggled in their games.

You have to give credit to Chelsea and Manchester City's opponents and take away from United's, but Manchester United did the job it needed to do, as always, like champions.

Antonio Valencia Will Be a Starter When the Other Wingers Return

Manchester United has three great wingers: Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young and Nani. They have all been fit at different times but of the three, Antonio Valencia looks like the clear-cut starter right now.

Valencia has been terrorizing opponents in the last few games and when Young and Nani return, they may very well be battling it out for a spot on the wing opposite to Valencia.

On his current form, it may not be too far-fetched to say that Valencia may be United's best winger.