26th September vs Stoke (a). 2-0.

The words 'potential' and 'banana skin' were written all over this fixture; firstly thanks to fortress-esque reputation the Brittania is gaining...remember how narrowly we won there last season?? On top of that, the delightfully fruitful nature of the Premiership often tends to throw you the odd shocker when you're coming into a game on such a high; as we were from the previous week...just look way we completely destroyed the respect won from going 14-matches-without-conceding last season by leaking in 5 goals in 7 days against Liverpool and Fulham respectively, then conceding a further 2 at Old Trafford the game after.

Well, as it were, this day was rather routine - other than Rooney not getting on the scoresheet for the first time since the Burnley defeat. Stoke, as expected, were ruthless and tough at the back (often too tough, with Huth being overly niggly and annoying). Yet Ferguson's secret weapon is currently his most loyal servant - the club's most loyal servant - at the spritely age of 35. Shortly after coming off the bench in the 55th minute, Giggs set-up Berbatov for the games opener; having collected Fletcher's stunning through-ball, which was strangely reminiscent of the one Giggs himself fed through to Owen in the 96th minute the previous Sunday.

...arise Sir Ryan...

The second, which wrapped up a deservedly comfortable afternoon, much welcomed after the nail-biting antics against City, came on the 72nd minute. Again Giggs was the provider and again the move had shades of the City game (I realise I've mentioned the 4-3 about 5 times so far, but can you really blame me?? I'm gonna need at least a month to get it out of my system). Giggs' outswinging freekick was met perfectly by the head of O'Shea, who flicked into the far corner. The other key performance of the day was by another unknown youngster coming through the ranks; Paul Scholes. Just as we have seen time and time again in recent years, his more open game based on skill and clinical, wide passing was brilliant, From striker, to attacking-midfielder, to the creative, central, holding genius he is now, he really is one of the greatest, and the high level of consistency and performance level he and his fellow youth product are showing this season is a credit to their desire, and should be used as a model to every lazy yet talented youngster out there...

Noticed: Berbatov's low-key and respectful celebration; calling the fans and players to cheer for Giggs instead of himself. Fair play.
Good. The oldies are golden, as Scholes and Giggs ran the show.
Bad: ...yet the supposedly more talented, able youngster Nani (a good 10 years their senior) had another shocker. He really is becoming pure shite, and the fans - before Sire Alex by the looks of things - will certainly start losing faith in him very quickly.

Player Ratings: Foster 6, O'Shea 6, Ferdinand 7, Vidic 7, Evra 7, Nani 5 (no.11), Scholes 8 (no.16), Fletcher 7, Valencia 6, Berbatov 6, Rooney 6 (no.7).

Subs: Giggs 8, Carrick 6, Owen 6.