United, playing in their first Premier League game since returning from Japan as world champions, looked leggy throughout against Tony Pulis’ well-drilled Potters and rarely looked like snatching all three points until Tevez popped up with seven minutes to fire them to an unlikely victory, the Argentine firing home at close range after Dimitar Berbatov’s shot had fallen into his path.

Stoke held their own against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side until the final 15 minutes when their cause was not helped by the 73nd-minute dismissal of Andy Wilkinson and had restricted United to half-chances only.

Ricardo Fuller looked Stoke’s most likely matchwinner, his best effort well saved by Edwin van der Sar.