HUGES EXPLAINS WHY MAN-UNITED LOSS

"From our point of view a team without Wayne Rooney is a team that maybe isn't quite as strong, but maybe he wasn't fit enough to start," Hughes said after the match.

Wayne Rooney began Manchester United's 2-0 loss at Stoke on the bench.

Having already beaten Manchester City and Chelsea this season, Hughes was happy to gain another win over one of the Premier League's giants.

"We gave a similar performance to the first half against Man City, who are a good team also, so we are delighted that we are able to do it again," said Hughes, who enjoyed 13 successful years on the playing staff at United.

"It is a feather in our cap. Against the elite teams in the league you have to be brave and go toe-to-toe and we showed that once again."