Manchester United 3-2 Stoke City: Wayne Rooney And Javier Hernandez Rescue United Late

Trailing with 12 minutes to play at Old Trafford, Manchester United needed a late two-goal surge to rescue a victory and avoid yet another embarrassing home defeat this season.

Stoke City got off to a superb start taking the lead in the 4th minute thanks to the combination of Erik Pieters and Peter Crouch, their first goal in over five and a half hours of play.

Pieters' initial run was the genesis of the chance as he blew through three United players before sending a cross in front of David De Gea was that met by a sliding Peter Crouch. De Gea made an excellent save to deny the Stoke striker but he couldn't control the rebound and Crouch toe poked it over the line.

In the 43rd minute Nani's cross found Wayne Rooney at the far post but his header on frame was denied by the extended arm of Begović. Unfortunately for the Potters the rebound went right to Robin Van Persie near the penalty spot and he blasted a shot into the net to pull United even at 1-1.

Less than a minute later Stoke was back in front as Marko Arnautović's free-kick skipped off De Gea's fingers and then off the underside of the cross bar before settling in the back of the net.

The second half was defined by United having a ton of possession and Stoke doing a ton of defending…and bad tackling.

Several Stoke players picked up yellow cards as the Potters did their best to blog up the attacking third for United and preventing them from passing through.

Finally with 12 minutes left to play a momentary lapse allowed United to even the match at 2-2. Stephen Ireland allowed Rooney just enough space on a corner to head the ball up and over Begović and into the top corner.

Two minutes later Javier Hernandez was left unmarked at the far post and the Mexican international buried a header past at the far post to surge in front 3-2.