STOKE CITY 0, MAN UNITED 2

RATTLE off the statistics and it sounds like a shopping list. Sets up two, should have had one himself, another man-of-the-match award in the basket.

Oh . . . and don't forget a fourth successive league title.

The man at the till is Ryan Giggs, current PFA Player of the Year and the most influential member of this Manchester United side.

There is no need for a receipt, not with goods as good as Giggs.

He was called on at the Britannia Stadium to see United safely through to the checkout, ignoring his aching limbs for this classic cameo.

For 35 minutes, he wandered the aisles that masqueraded as Stoke's defence, stirring the emotions and raiding the shelves.

He was staging his own version of Supermarket Sweep, given a free run of the pitch and filling his boots.

Giggs was excellent, burning brightly on the left of United's midfield after Nani was kicked out of the side entrance.

What a showing in his 813th appearance, still going strong at 36 and still determined to lead this team into another exciting era.

There is a familiar look about United this morning and it is not just because they are top of the table.

Sir Alex Ferguson was searching for solutions at half-time, scanning the visitors' dressing room for the difference between the two teams.

He did not have to look for long, plucking Giggs off the substitutes' bench to set up their seventh successive win in all competitions.

Giggs was rested on merit, given the best part of an hour off after his special performance in the derby last weekend.

He set up two then, with the help of a little added time at Old Trafford as United stormed to that remarkable 4-3 victory over Manchester City.

Now Giggs' career is in extra-time, prolonged by his peerless performances in this free-scoring team.

Dimitar Berbatov was pointing at him after scoring the opening goal and John O'Shea was searching him out after his glancing header finished it off.

Little wonder with Giggs leading the way.

He should have had one of his own but he remains stuck on 99 Premier League goals after curling an effort over the bar.

That came after he was given too much time and space inside the area to loop the ball over the isolated figure of Thomas Sorensen.

That would have been the perfect finish to this fabulous performance, right out the locker of The King - Eric Cantona.

Instead, he will try again next weekend against Sunderland, where Old Trafford could be the appropriate setting for 76,000 supporters to pay tribute.

He deserves it after this breathtaking display, full of poise and laced with perfectly-executed balls into the path of his team-mates.

The transition period post-Ronaldo is over, with others emerging from the shadows of the World Player of the Year.

Wayne Rooney was awesome again, so too were the balls that zipped off the feet of Paul Scholes' slippers in the centre of midfield.

They are back on top, despite the occasional spluttering performance from some of the young, emerging crop of players.

Nani is one of them, the dictionary definition of the word frustration.

There is a special talent there, as shown by a wonderful goal against Chelsea in the Community Shield and an exquisite free-kick in the 5-0 win over Wigan.

He was the focal point of the first half and yet, ultimately, he was sacrificed in favour of Giggs' guaranteed consistency.

Robert Huth had set the tone for Stoke in the opening minute, clattering the Portuguese winger with a thunderous challenge.

Nani responded, demanding the ball at every opportunity as United searched for the opening.

They were in full control, with Scholes curving the ball into the path of his team-mate with brilliantly-executed passes. Nani was thriving, winding up Stoke's raucous supporters with the twists and turns that continued to haunt Huth.

It was only a matter of time - 29 minutes to be precise - when Stoke's makeshift right-back went into Howard Webb's book.

Nani shrugged off his challenge and Huth, exasperated by his failure to pinch back possession, clotheslined Scholes.

When Nani swapped wings for a moment he should have squared for Berbatov, frustrating his United team-mate when he was storming through the middle.

That is part of his footballing education, a reason why Ferguson is so reluctant to play him every week.

The switch was straightforward, with Ferguson replacing Nani when he tried one trick too many on the touchline.

That was the cue for Giggs to come on, sent out to the left to be United's destructive force.

He sets an example to the younger players, keeping the spirit alive after nearly two decades at the club.

This was attack versus defence, with United putting the sensational atmosphere at the Britannia Stadium to one side.

They will endure far more hostile tests, especially when they are in Europe. United had left it late here last season, relying on substitute Carlos Tevez to steal the points in the final minute.

They were tired back then, still recovering from a long-haul flight back to England after being crowned world champions.

They played like them at times yesterday, with Rooney in exceptional form alongside Berbatov.

He put Nani through when the winger should have crossed for Berbatov and then deceived Danny Collins with an outrageous Cruyff turn.

United had to score soon, especially after Antonio Valencia raced clear of Stoke's static defence.

Ryan Shawcross failed to clear but Valencia skewed his effort over the crossbar.

United were digging in, with Scholes booked for a clumsy challenge and fortunate to stay on the field after a foolish handball in front of referee Webb.

Giggs made the difference, though, making the most of his understanding with United's central midfielders.

Darren Fletcher fed the Welshman down the left, he crossed and Berbatov arrived in the six-yard box to put United in front.

Then came another quality ball - this time from a free-kick - for O'Shea to secure the points.

Giggs has been at it for nearly 20 years, playing a significant part in each of his club's 11 Premier League titles.

Who's to say he will not win another, the ticking clock in a team with time on their side.

That is one of two targets - a fourth European Cup for the club is the other. United have recovered from their stuttering start to the season and that disappointing defeat at Premier League new boys Burnley.

Look at them now, stringing together seven wins in a row in all competitions and threatening more.

They will expect to swat Wolfsburg aside at Old Trafford in the Champions League this week and they sign off for the international break with Sunderland.

Giggs is likely to be rested in midweek, wrapped in cotton wool after this remarkable run of form.

He is centre stage again, revelling in his ambassadorial role for a new-look team.

His performance in the 3-0 victory over Chelsea swayed the minds of his fellow professionals last season.

After this, he could be back on top of their list.

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