Manchester United earned a comfortable victory away to a struggling Stoke City to go 15 points clear at the top of the league with six games to go.

Michael Carrick gave United the lead within the first five minutes when he poked in after a corner fell to him in the box.

Tony Pulis' Potters struggled to create chances and midway through the second half Andy Wilkinson tripped the in-rushing Robin Van Persie in the box, leading to a penalty.

The Dutchman dusted himself off to fire in from the spot to give United all three points.

Stoke are now just three points above the relegation zone.