Manchester United: 3 Talking Points from the 4-2 Win over Stoke City

Manchester United kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea this weekend with a 4-2 home win over a resolute Stoke City side.

The result sees United retain second spot in the standings, having amassed 18 points from their opening eight games heading into next Sunday’s showdown with the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

And as ever, there were various talking points to emanate from the action on Saturday at Old Trafford.

This article takes a closer look at some of these matters, discussing exactly what they could mean for United in the long run.

Defensive Frailties

United may have been worthy of their win, but that does not disguise the fact that they conceded a further two goals at home.

They have now leaked 11 goals in the league so far this season, in what is their joint second worst defensive showing since the inception of the Premier League in 1992.

Perhaps more alarmingly, seven of these goals have come from their four home matches. As noted by BBC, this figure represents the “most at this stage of a top-flight season under Sir Alex Ferguson and most in 36 years.”

While this fragility can be attributed largely to an injury crisis that has robbed Ferguson of the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, it is a problem that needs rectifying nonetheless.

If Manchester United wish to regain the Premier League title, improvements must be made, and fast.

A Lethal Strike Force

Since Robin van Persie’s arrival at Old Trafford, strike partner Wayne Rooney has been deployed in a variety of deeper roles in order to accommodate the free-scoring Dutchman.

But this week, they both got in on the goalscoring action, with Rooney firing a brace and Van Persie notching another.

Furthermore, Danny Welbeck also featured from the start, having linked up impressively with Rooney during England’s 5-0 demolition of minnows San Marino last week.

For United to fit these three huge talents in their starting lineup gives them arguably the most lethal and potent forward line in the country, and that’s without even considering the abilities of Javier Hernandez laying in wait on the bench to supplement such firepower

If they can continue to co-exist, United’s opponents will have plenty of reason to panic.

This free-scoring attack somewhat atones for the club’s failures at the other end of the pitch, but can such rich success in front of goal be sustained?

One would have to assume so, but if Van Persie’s infamous injury woes make an unwanted return, Manchester United may find themselves in a far less comfortable position.

Rio Ferdinand Snubs “Kick It Out”

Despite Ferguson’s comments on Friday, Ferdinand defied his manager’s wishes by refusing to wear a Kick It Out T-shirt ahead of the clash with Stoke.

Ferdinand claimed his actions were based on “a perceived lack of action about racism” in light of his brother’s allegations of racial abuse direct at Chelsea skipper John Terry.

Terry received a four-game ban despite the fact that Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was handed a ban of twice the length for the same offence, this time directed at Ferdinand’s teammate Patrice Evra.

What’s more, Ferguson has openly admitted that Ferdinand “will be dealt with” regarding the matter, thus it would appear that the centre-back’s act of defiance could have more serious long-term repercussions.

Having already found himself fall out of favour with England boss Roy Hodgson, could Ferdinand be set to suffer a similar fate at club level?

In the short term, it would appear not, as United can really not afford to freeze out another first-team defender given their injury crisis.

But with a more long-term view in mind, this could seriously be of detriment to the aging defender’s United career, especially when one considers that Ferguson is already lining up defensive additions for the January transfer window.

Conclusion

While the victory over Stoke was certainly a good result, beneath the surface, there were some worrying points to come from the game.

United’s mercurial attack compensated for another less-secure defensive showing, but United cannot simply rely on this to be the case; a mantra of "it doesn’t matter how many we concede, we’ll just score one more" is not particularly sustainable—just ask Kevin Keegan.

And with the crunch game with Chelsea next up for United in the league, they will really need to get their act together at the back if they wish to thwart the Blues’ abundance of attacking talent.

However, the magnitude of this game could of course be a saving grace for Rio Ferdinand, as Ferguson will presumably be reluctant to drop his protesting defender ahead of such a crucial game in the Premier League title race.

But what do you guys think?

Comment below with your thoughts on the Stoke game, as well as the issues discussed in the article.