Player Ratings: Manchester United 3-0 Stoke City

David de Gea 6

He didn't have to do anything, so he didn't. A bit like a policeman investigating another officer for complaints of brutality.

Matteo Darmian 6

He was competent, if not spectacular, but he showed that he was capable - along with most of the rest of the side - with the requirements of quick passing. It doesn't matter if he can't cross if United don't make him cross.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson 7

Dealt well with Jonathan Walters, but it's worth remembering that Walters has rarely featured for Stoke this season, so he was out of practice. His cross for the opening goal was a huge improvement on his previous efforts at attacking contributions. He remains worthy of giving a chance to make the place his own.

Chris Smalling and Daley Blind 6

Both there, both didn't make a complete bollix of anything for a change. Playing against Peter Crouch is a weird challenge, but no longer a difficult one.

Marouane Fellaini 6

Stoke's wretched performance made it easy even for this galoot to look vaguely capable. Nevertheless, he still can't really pass or tackle, and it'll be brilliant when he's kicked out of the club.

Michael Carrick 6

Didn't do anything wrong. Stoke sat off him, meaning he was able to get the cogs working without being troubled by having to get them working quickly.

Jesse Lingard 7

For a player whose finishing has been so inconsistent, it was heartening to see that he could manage to hit the back of the net from close range. There are plenty of players who can't, and even though he's relatively old for such a 'young' prospect, he has shown that he, too, is worthy of a place in the squad, if not necessarily the first team in the longer term.

Anthony Martial 7

He's brilliant. He needs, like Lingard, to work on his finishing, but that is a mental problem rather than a technical one. As he's so young, improvement can be expected, if he learns from an in-form Wayne Rooney. Nevertheless, like the rest of the side, he faded in the second half once the game was won.

Juan Mata 7

If you give him yards of space, by getting the ball to him quickly, and provide him with runners ahead and to the side of him, then he has the passing range to exploit it. We all knew it, it was just a pleasant change to see it.

Wayne Rooney 7

He passed! He shot! He ran! All well!

Substitutes

Memphis 6

He missed one fairly decent chance, but there are signs of improving competence and confidence.

Andreas Pereira and Ander Herrera 6

Didn't get time to do anything, so expect Van Gaal to drop them into the reserves for no good reason.