Sport

A win’s a win! David Moyes relieved after Manchester United scrape past Stoke City at Old Trafford

By Sean Butters

David Moyes says that he will take victories no matter how they come following Manchester United’s close-run 3-2 home win over Stoke City on Saturday.

United had looked in trouble as they struggled for fluidity against a resolute Stoke side who were ahead for a total of over 70 minutes at Old Trafford.

The visitors hadn’t beaten United in the league for 30 years however and David Moyes was pleased with the way that his players fought back, scoring two goals in two minutes to keep that record intact.

“It was a really good victory, the players kept working right until the end,” he told the BBC.

“After a game in mid-week it was great they showed the energy they did in the final 15, 20 minutes.

“Sometimes it goes that way but I think we deserved it in the end. We earned it, the way we kept at it, the way we kept pressing to try and score.”

United appeared to be on their way to a third consecutive home league game without a win until Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez both scored to give their side an unconvincing three points.

Moyes admitted he was concerned with the knife-edge nature of the match before saying he was just happy to take the victory.

“When you’re 2-1 down, I think they had a few opportunities where our goalkeeper has had to make a couple of very good saves,” said the Scot.

“Maybe it’s going to be like this for a while. If it is then I’ll happily take these type of victories no matter how they come.”

The home side had been virtually devoid of ideas until the introduction of in-form Adnan Januzaj, who provided a much-needed injection of pace and creativity to garner praise from his manager.

“He’s a really good player which we’ve mentioned before and he’ll see plenty of football here in the future, that’s for sure,” said Moyes.

Rooney also stood out and was described by the manager as ‘influential’, capping an industrious performance with a well-placed header to get his side back into the game.

United’s next fixture is League Cup 4th round meeting with Norwich at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Image courtesy of MUTV via YouTube, with thanks.

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