Nani’s killer blow as United turn up the heat

WITH so many of the big men missing, at a time when energy levels are at their lowest, Alex Ferguson could rely on Javier Hernandez and Nani to do the business for him last night as Manchester United moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a scrappy win.

Hernandez put United in front with a strike of real quality and, after Dean Whitehead pulled one back for the visitors, Nani, growing in effectiveness and maturity, drove in United’s second to secure three points that puts the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester City ahead of their meeting tonight.

It could prove to be a night of significance for Hernandez and Nani, as well as their team, who continue to stutter but are still top and unbeaten in the Premier League.

Being likened to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has its downsides and the former Chivas forward had not started a league game since the dramatic 2-2 draw at Aston Villa in November. But Alex Ferguson admits his prowess gives him a welcome dilemma.

“It gives me a problem when Wayne is fit,” said Ferguson.

“That is the kind of problem you want. Over the years, the strikers I have had have given me that problem. That is Chico’s job. And as long as he keeps putting the ball in the net, he is giving me those problems.”

Having scored a wonderful header as part of a double in the 2-1 win at Stoke in October, Hernandez again used a game against the Potters to showcase his talents. Three days after his header proved to be the winner in the 2-1 victory at West Brom, his back-heel made the breakthrough.

After Whitehead equalised, Nani took responsibility for leading United’s fight and he got his reward with a fine strike to secure the three points.

Yet again, United were far from impressive and, yet again, they won anyway. Three points clear at the top, they can sit back and enjoy tonight’s match between Arsenal and Manchester City and are an impressive nine points clear of champions Chelsea. Some may say they are limited, others might say they have another gear to go to, but they will not be bothered if they can secure a record 19th title.

Darron Gibson continues to divide opinion among United supporters, but clearly does not lack in confidence and he went close with two early efforts from distance against the Potters.

The same could be said for Dimitar Berbatov, who also went close with a couple of efforts that flashed wide.

Stoke were happy to sit deep, but they were cut apart in style just after the midway point in the first half.

Gibson picked out Berbatov, who had dropped deep, and the Bulgarian knocked a pass wide to Nani, who clipped a cross to the near post. Hernandez drifted in front of former United defender Ryan Shawcross and flicked in with the back of his boot to put United ahead.

So often in the past, that would have been enough, with United having enjoyed victories in 10 of their previous 13 meetings with Stoke without the Potters even scoring.

But Tony Pulis’ emerging side were not done. At the start of the second half, they fired a warning, with Matthew Etherington clipping over a cross that was headed wide by Tuncay.

And five minutes into the second half, they pulled level when Tuncay held off Smalling and crossed for Whitehead who steered a header into the corner, with Vidic furious at the slackness of Patrice Evra’s marking.

Gibson failed to trouble Thomas Sorensen with a shot from distance before Nani had a drive from a similar area deflected wide and Smalling headed wide from the Giggs corner.

Nani fired another effort wide before he restored United’s lead. He broke forward from halfway and fed Hernandez, who somehow threaded a return pass to the Portuguese. Danny Collins failed to close Nani and the winger fired his shot into the corner of Sorensen’s net.

Subs for Manchester United: Carrick for Gibson, 78; Owen for Hernandez, 78.

Subs for Stoke: Pennant for Etherington, 68; Walters for Delap, 69; Fuller for Jones, 75.