United deal with Stoke at Old Trafford amid Sanchez talk

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs Stoke City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 15, 2018 Manchester United's Anthony Martial in action with Stoke City’s Moritz Bauer and Joe Allen REUTERS/Andrew Yates

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - - MANCHESTER UNITED 3 STOKE CITY 0

The thoughts of Manchester United's fans may have been on the possible arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal but the players stayed focussed to beat Stoke City 3-0 in the Premier League at a rainy Old Trafford on Monday.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs Stoke City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 15, 2018 Stoke City's Ramadan Sobhi in action with Manchester United's Juan Mata REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Two superbly taken first-half strikes, from Antonio Valencia and Anthony Martial, put United in command against a spirited Stoke side and Romelu Lukaku made sure of the win midway through the second half with a low drive.

It may not have been vintage United but after leaders Manchester City lost their unbeaten league record in a 4-3 reverse at Liverpool on Sunday, it was vital Jose Mourinho's side took the chance to close the gap at the top to 12 points.

Mourinho omitted winger Henrikh Mkhitaryan from the squad amid reports that Arsenal were interested in him as part of a swap deal for Chile forward Sanchez, who is no longer a target for Manchester City according to British media.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs Stoke City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 15, 2018 Stoke City's Jack Butland saves from Manchester United's Anthony Martial REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Full-back Valencia blasted United into a ninth minute lead after cutting inside on to his unfavoured - but still potent - left foot and hammering into the far corner, well beyond the reach of visiting keeper Jack Butland.

Stoke's new manager Paul Lambert, appointed earlier on Monday, watched from the stands, with the sacked Mark Hughes' former assistant Eddie Niedzwiecki in charge of the team.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs Stoke City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 15, 2018 Stoke City's Jack Butland saves from Manchester United's Marcus Rashford REUTERS/Andrew Yates

SWEET FINISH

Stoke's Stephen Ireland, making his first start since May 2016, then missed two good chances as the visitors showed plenty of attacking intent.

But seven minutes before the interval, United's French winger Martial made it 2-0 with a sweet first-time finish after being set up by Paul Pogba.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs Stoke City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 15, 2018 New Stoke City manager Paul Lambert in the stands Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Stoke responded positively again, going in at halftime after Xherdan Shaqiri had tested keeper David De Gea with a low drive, but United got a firm grip on the game after the interval.

It was not until the 72nd minute though that the home side got the third goal - Lukaku wriggling to find enough space for a shot into the bottom corner after good work from Martial.

"Stoke bought players to play football, they were not afraid to play and they created us problems in the first half," said Mourinho.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs Stoke City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 15, 2018 Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku in action with Stoke City's Darren Fletcher REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Niedzwiecki said he was unclear whether he would remain at the club once former Norwich City and Aston Villa boss Lambert set up his own staff.

"Paul Lambert said a few words to the players in the hotel before the game but he showed me the respect, it was my team today. I enjoyed the experience but it has been incredibly difficult personally," he said.

"I will find out my future in the next 48 hours. I know how the game works."

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs Stoke City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 15, 2018 Manchester United's Jesse Lingard in action with Stoke City’s Moritz Bauer REUTERS/Andrew Yates

(Reporting by Simon Evans; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs Stoke City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 15, 2018 Manchester United's Juan Mata scores a goal which is later disallowed Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs Stoke City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 15, 2018 Manchester United's David De Gea celebrates after Romelu Lukaku scores their third goal Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs Stoke City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 15, 2018 Stoke City's Xherdan Shaqiri shoots at goal REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs Stoke City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 15, 2018 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs Stoke City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 15, 2018 Manchester United's Juan Mata shoots wide REUTERS/Andrew Yates

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs Stoke City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 15, 2018 Manchester United's David De Gea Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United vs Stoke City - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - January 15, 2018 Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Andrew Yates