ALEXIS WHO?

Reds scored three great goals to tell Sanchez he’ll face a fight for a place

THEY are intent on buying one of the most spectacular forwards in the Premier League.

But with goals as brilliant as these, who needs Alexis Sanchez? Antonio Valencia and Anthony Martial struck “worldies” to light up Old Trafford and bring the feelgood factor back.

The United fans were even singing Jose Mourinho’s name by the end as they produced the sort of performance which has been sorely lacking in recent home games.

It was not always convincing. Stoke had three clear chances to equalise in the first half, but ultimately it was those two goals that will live long in the memory.

Probably not just for United fans either, but also for Stoke’s new boss Paul Lambert, who watched on from the directors’ box before taking full charge and he will be under no illusion about the size of the task in front of him.

Valencia got the show on the road with a stunning opener then Martial hit another screamer from the edge of the box and it was all too much for Stoke.

United wasted no time in tearing into Stoke, which was in stark contrast to some of the slow, laboured starts recently.

It quickly whipped up a good atmosphere in the stadium, no matter how hard the rain and hail above. Paul Pogba started the move for United’s first goal, making a driving run from the left before hitting a superb pass to Valencia, while Jesse Lingard’s clever dummy run sp split the Stoke d defence.

Valencia had t time enough to t turn inside S Stoke full-back J Josh Tymon, l line up a shot t then unleash a s stunning leftfoot f curler into the top corner. It was an absolute peach of a goal, there will not be many better at Old Trafford this season and while Valencia does not get many, he scores even fewer with his left peg.

You could be forgiven for thinking United would then take charge and flatten a Stoke side in free fall and mired in the relegation zone. But that was not the story at all.

Instead, Stoke came right back and had at least three chances to equalise.

Whether it was Lambert watching from on high or caretaker boss Eddie Niedzwiecki’s influence on the touchline, Stoke played with flair and confidence.

Winger Xherdan Shaqiri sounded a warning with a brilliant overhead kick, but it flew straight at United keeper David De Gea.

Stoke midfielder Stephen Ireland, making his first Premier League start in 996 days after an injury nightmare, missed two gilt-edged chances after the visitors opened up United’s defence with ease.

But a 25th-minute let-off was even bigger for United as Peter

Crouch headed on Moritz Bauer’s deep cross and Eric Maxim Choupo- Moting seemed certain to score only for Phil Jones to throw himself at the ball and make an incredible block.

Maybe that was the wake-up call United needed because they got an all- important second goal in the 38th minute to settle the nerves in what was becoming an anxious Old Trafford.

Again, it was Pogba who provided the assist, his square pass set up Martial, who swept home a brilliant shot from the edge of the box, the ball flying into the top corner to give Stoke keeper Jack Butland no chance.

It was bad luck on Stoke, who played well and were unlucky to be two down.

They were cursing again when Shaqiri hit a low shot in first-half injury-time only for De Gea to deny him again, this time with a brilliant diving save.

The second half almost descended into a procession, Stoke anxious to keep the score down and United with the game won.

United got their third after 72 minutes when Romelu Lukaku used all his power and strength to hold the ball up in the box, turn Stoke substitute Kevin Wimmer then beat England hopeful Butland with a low shot into the bottom corner.

Stoke’s night was just about summed up as substitute Mame Biram Diouf wasted a great chance in the final few minutes and United saw out a comfortable victory.