MANCHESTER UNITED WAICHAPA STOKE GOLI 2 SASA KUWAVAA SUNDERLAND

Strike: Ashley Young (left) scored Manchester United's first goal against Stoke City

Some Stoke players, it must be said, didn’t really want to go off. 

They aren’t really like that in Staffordshire. Nevertheless it was hard to question Clattenburg’s decision, given that the elements were, at that time, making it rather difficult to see — and stand up, straight. 

In fact the weather that battered the Britannia during the first half was pretty much the most exciting event of the opening 35 minutes. 

With United fielding a strong team — an indication perhaps of Moyes desire to win a trophy of some description in his debut season at Old Trafford — there was no reason why we shouldn’t have h

ad an entertaining game against  opposition that have started to find their feet under Mark Hughes.

Wayne Rooney — injured in training on Tuesday — may not have been present and fellow  striker Robin van Persie was also absent with a thigh problem but there was still enough attacking  talent in this side to take the game to Stoke at a ground where they usually tend to do quite well.

Take that: Young strikes from the edge of the area after good work from Hernandez

Joy: Ashley Young (centre) was given a yellow card for celebrating with United fans

Torrential: The match between Stoke and United was suspended for ten minutes due to a hail storm

Ouch: Stoke's Stephen Ireland attempts to protect his head from the hail

Before the storm: Peter Crouch (left) gets above United's Phil Jones to win the ball

Confusion: David Moyes (centre) didn't want the game to be suspended

Opener: Ashley Young scored for United after a clever one-two with Hernandez on the edge of the Stoke area

Strength: Oussama Assaidi (left) holds off Rafael during the Capital One Cup quater-final

Chilly: David De Gea looks on through the hail during the clash between Stoke and United

Battle the elements: Stok's Marc Wilson (right) and Danny Welbeck (left) race for the ball

Off we go: Patrice Evra (centre) uses a towel to protect himself from the downpour of hail

United were first to threaten as a neat ball inside the full-back from Anderson gave Antonio Valencia an opportunity to shoot and only a defensive block deflected the ball away from goal.