New Delhi: For large portions of the introductory game of Boxing Day's Premier League action, Stoke City looked the likelier team to score as they were strong at the back and had the odd chance at the other end.
The dismissal of Stoke's Andy Wilkinson changed the complexion of the match, and Carlos Tevez scored the game's only goal in the 83rd minute to wrap up the win for United.
There were questions as to whether Manchester United's two game mini-tournament the FIFA Club World Cup would have sapped away at their energy reserves.
A fixture against Stoke City on their return to the Premier League would have seemed like the ideal tie to capitalise on their top four rivals all failing to win while they were busy during their Japanese sojourn.
Prior to this tie though, the newly promoted side had only lost twice on home turf thus far this season. Part of that is down to the Potters producing a raucous atmosphere, and their loud and proud chants and songs could be heard reverberating round the Britannia Stadium prior to kick off.
United were tested early when a lapse of concentration by late inclusion Jonny Evans led to Ricardo Fuller sneaking a strike in on goal, but Edwin Van der Sar was untested as the shot fizzed harmlessly over the bar.
The Britannia stadium is a particularly hard venue to claim a result in, and United were quick to find out just how intimidating an atmosphere Potters fans can develop, with Cristiano Ronaldo feeling the full brunt of boos and jeers as he was assigned the role of a Christmas pantomime villain.
Ten minutes later Fuller again had a dynamite chance as he beautifully controlled a high Delap chipped pass, but the bright and blinding sun may have caught his eye as he couldn't slot the ball past United's glovesman, and instead he had to settle for the corner.
As well as having their own chances in front of goal, City did well blunting United's attacking impetus with key blocks, interceptions, and challenges. Higginbotham on Evans, and Faye, Wilkinson, and Shawcross helped keep the World Champions' attacking quintet of Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Paul Scholes, and Ryan Giggs, at bay.
Stoke were always quick to close down the opposition and, on multiple occasions, Rooney would find himself not only double marked, but triangled out of action.
It is testament to Stoke's stubborness and rearguard resilience that United could only muster one effort on target, and perhaps their most likeliest chance to score was when Ronaldo hovered over a free kick just moments before the break, but the wall of men in front of Sorensen stayed strong to deny the Portuguese winger a dead-ball route to goal.
The reigning Premier League champions must have been giving a stern talking to by boss Sir Alex Ferguson as they returned to the second half with a marked increase of intent.
Carlos Tevez's eagerness to get the ball was shown when he was quick into the centre circle, before the Red and White striped side even had a chance to kick off, in fact.
Within a minute though, Tevez was through on goal as he was fed a sublime reverse pass, but his swift shot was blocked by Sorensen.
The Red Devils began to find great space down the right hand side and had finally exposed Stoke's weakness who were struggling to deal with balls along the six yard line as no defender would stamp their authority to clear the floor-level crosses, and instead pandemonium ensued. These pinball calamities could have led to an opener, but again United left the area frustrated.
The visitors lost their way after the hour mark of the game, they gave the ball away needlessly, and Abdoulaye Faye had a glorious chance on goal, but his header was caught by Van der Sar.
In recent match-days Ronaldo has been butchered in the press for his acts of petulance. Whether he is gesturing to Aston Villa fans, or sarcastically applauding referee's, the World Player of the Year has attracted much negative press this season, and his entanglement with Wilkinson in the 70th minute will no doubt be highlighted as further evidence of his puerility.
Two minutes later, Wilkinson, perhaps still thinking of the aforementioned fracas, was sent for an early bath for two bookable offences as he poorly challenged Ronaldo from behind. Stoke therefore underwent a change of tactic in the closing stages of the game from nicking a cheeky goal, to just holding on to the clean sheet and resultant draw.
That tactic was spoiled when substitute Dimitar Berbatov pushed a lofted pass into Carlos Tevez's path and the energetic no 32 poked the ball home to break Stoke hearts. It was a similar type of move that had Stoke ran ragged earlier in the game as they failed to properly deal with balls in from the sides of the penalty box.
For the first time in nearly three weeks of Premier League action, a member of the so-called 'Big Four' had finally won a game, and the three points - after a tournament seen as a distraction, rather than a reward - could be crucial as they close the gap on league leaders Liverpool to just four points.
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