Sir Alex Ferguson hails his Super Nani after Portugal winger's wonder goal keeps Manchester United in the clear

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed a 'sensational' winning goal from Nani as Manchester United opened a three-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

United had been stunned by a 62nd-minute equaliser from Dean Whitehead when Nani latched on to a pass from Javier Hernandez and hammered a rising drive into the top corner from 20 yards.

It was enough to end Stoke’s stout resistance, and extend United’s unbeaten League run to 25 games. It earned the fit-again winger glowing praise from a relieved Ferguson.

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Super Nani: Manchester United claimed the points thanks to their No 17's wonderful finish

‘It was a sensational goal,’ said the United manager, who made six changes to the side who beat West Bromwich 2-1 on Saturday.

‘It really was a fantastic strike and the great thing is, he can do it with either foot. You make changes like we did tonight when you’ve got faith in your players. They have more than earned it and they repaid it with that performance.

Unspeakably good: Nani, in a breakthrough season, has been missed in the last few games

‘It was a great opening goal from Hernandez as well. I keep preaching to the strikers that they must get across the front post, and he showed the rewards on offer when you do that.

‘He has given me a selection problem now for the FA Cup tie with Liverpool on Sunday. I hope the three missing players (Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Edwin Van Der Sar) will be fit, but we’ll have to see.

In a spin: Javier Hernandez had earlier scored a sumptuous goal himself to hand United the lead

‘When you are top going into the new year, it means you are going to be in the shake-up at the end of the season. History tells you we tend to play even better in the second half of the season. We look sharper, so that suggests we are in good shape.

‘People may say we are not playing well, but we are an easy target for that sort of thing. The fact is, some of our home performances have been fantastic, and we have played well on our travels, even when we have dropped points.’

Livewire striker Hernandez was making his first start since the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa nearly two months ago, and he seized his opportunity with a brilliant backheel to give United a 27th-minute lead.