Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated 50 years in football on Saturday with a potentially tricky tie against Tony Pulis’ Stoke City.
A half-century ago the United boss was making his debut as a teenager for Queen’s Park against Stranraer.
Whilst Ferguson found the back of the net on his debut, his side lost 2-1, a result he went into the game hoping he would not be revisiting a half century later.
Yet Stoke arrived at the home of the champions in confident mood having already taken a point off Liverpool at Anfield and beaten Arsenal, United’s conquerors last weekend, at home.
However, it took Ferguson’s men only minutes to deflate Stoke’s optimism with another landmark as Cristiano Ronaldo struck his 100th Manchester United goal. [Watch The Goals Now]
A free kick by the Portuguese was hit powerfully, causing the ball to move wildly in the air which fooled Thomas Sorensen in the Stoke goal to gift the champions the lead.
The goal boosted the home side who edged the first half yet had to wait until seconds before the interval to double their lead.
Once again Ronaldo was involved, this time running at the Stoke defence before passing to Michael Carrick on the edge of the area who swept the ball home.
Stoke headed into the break down but not out, yet less than five minutes after the break the champions put the game out of sight.
Carlos Tevez, restored to the starting line-up in the absence of an ill Wayne Rooney, linked well with Dimitar Berbatov and the Bulgarian turned and lashed a shot past Sorensen.
With the points secured Ferguson sent on youngsters Darron Gibson and Danny Welbeck for their Premier League debuts on the hour mark.
Welbeck, who impressed in the Carling Cup in midweek, had a good chance, heading a Ronaldo cross just over the bar as United dominated the second half.
A thoroughly disillusioned Stoke City offered little as an attacking force and with 15 minutes to go Ferguson sent on another debutant Manucho for Tevez.
The Angolan put a header wide just minutes after coming on but it was left to Welbeck to increase the champions’ lead.
The 17-year-old played a neat one-two with Manucho before lashing home from fully 30 yards for a superb first goal for his club and the fourth of the game.
There was still time for the Red Devils to pour more misery on the Potters and Ronaldo was the man as he hit his second of the afternoon.
Another free kick by the Portuguese was curled around the wall and past Sorensen to complete the victory and leave a contented Ferguson with much to celebrate.
[Credit: Goal]
