Cristiano Ronaldo’s 100th Manchester United goal
set United on their way to an emphatic home win over Stoke.

The Portuguese winger smashed home a trademark free-kick from 25 yards
before turning provider for Michael Carrick to fire in United’s second.

Dimitar Berbatov volleyed home to extend the lead
before 17-year-old Danny Welbeck marked his Premier League debut with a stunning strike.

Ronaldo sealed the win with his second, another expertly taken free-kick.

The three points were a fitting reward for manager Sir Alex Ferguson,
who was celebrating 50 years in football
after making his playing debut as a 16-year-old during
Queens Park’s 2-1 defeat at Stranraer on 15 November 1958.

Carlos Tevez struck from the penalty spot in the 76th minute
as United edged into the quarter finals of the Carling Cup following a poor match.

The Argentine made no mistake from the spot after substitute Danny Welbeck
had been felled by Peter Ramage, but it was far from a vintage United performance.

a much-changed United side failed to turn their utter dominance into chances.

QPR defended throughout, though Samuel di Carmine had a late effort ruled out.

It was commendable effort at the end of the match from the visitors,
but few could argue United deserved the win
and to go through to the last eight of the competition
to face Blackburn Rovers at home.

Nasri’s deflected shot opened the scoring in the 22nd minute
and he doubled Arsenals advantage three minutes after the interval
with a powerful finish from Cesc Fabregas’s precise pass.

Substitute Rafael volleyed United back into contention with a minute of normal time left –
but Arsenal survived six extra minutes
and an outbreak of mass anxiety at the Emirates to clinch the three points.