Man United's Champions League return is alive as Fellaini and Mata keep run going for Van Gaal with win over Stoke

Manchester United's European exile means that December dawned before Louis van Gaal has taken charge of his first competitive match under the floodlights at Old Trafford. At this rate, the Dutchman will not have to wait so long next year.

A fourth win in a row last night kept Van Gaal’s team in fourth position in the table and on course for the Champions League place he has targeted in his first season in English football.

United had to do it without the injured Wayne Rooney and Angel Di Maria, and it wasn’t particularly pretty.