Sir Alex Ferguson's side were always on top at Stoke yesterday, yet until the evergreen Giggs replaced Nani 10 minutes after half-time, they were struggling to get the breakthrough.

Giggs' cool head changed all that as United went on to record a 2-0 victory.

First he drifted into space, which allowed Darren Fletcher to find him inside the penalty area with a killer pass. Then he was aware enough to present the on-rushing Berbatov with a tap-in by rolling over an inviting cross.

If that was not enough, Giggs also provided the cross John O'Shea turned home; the perfect way to mark his 350th United appearance.

"The game changed when Ryan came on," said Berbatov.

"You can see because of the number of years he has been able to play for Manchester United how much he helps by being on the pitch.

"He makes the right decisions. That is what got us the three points."

Berbatov may be a relative newcomer to the Red Devils squad but he is acutely aware of the influence Giggs and fellow old stager Paul Scholes have.

A strangely subdued Stoke outfit never got to grips with Scholes in central midfield and, once the maddeningly inconsistent Nani was relieved of his duties, there was only going to be one winner.

"We outclassed them," said Berbatov, whose words were brutal but true.

And, even though the Bulgarian was delighted with his second goal of the season, he is not getting carried away.

"The most important thing is for the team to win, not for me to score," he said.

"If we win 1-0, I don't care if the goalkeeper scores. I just want to stay at the top of the table and continue winning."

Another handsome victory for Real Madrid in the Primera Division provided a further reminder of what United are missing this season following Cristiano Ronaldo's £80million move to Spain in the summer.

When United were slipping to a shock defeat at newly-promoted Burnley in their second game the chances of them sitting on top of the table before the start of October seemed remote, even if those within Old Trafford remained quite comfortable with their situation.

"We knew we had to go on a run to put a marker down," said O'Shea.

"Burnley was a freakish result. But we have always responded well to situations like that and put together a good run of victories.

"This was the same. But the games keep rolling and we have to continue."

It is on to the Champions League and an Old Trafford meeting with in-form German title winners Wolfsburg next for Ferguson and his team.

Such missions must seem like a different planet for Stoke boss Tony Pulis, whose team did not turn up.

Any thoughts the hosts might profit from Antonio Valencia's failure to convert a gilt-edged ninth-minute chance were slowly dismissed as the game dragged on and Stoke created nothing of note.

"It is the first time this season when I felt we didn't give it a right go," he admitted.

"We were flat and it turned out to be a very comfortable afternoon for Manchester United."

The margin of victory could have been even greater for the visitors but, having done all the damage beforehand, Giggs could not convert what would have been his 150th goal for United after Scholes had sent him through.

Still, Ferguson's men are in the familiar position of peering down at the rest again, even if their advantage over Chelsea comes from the narrowest of goal difference margins.

And Pulis believes this year's title race will remain tight until the end.

"We have already played Chelsea here and they were very good," he said.

"I like them and I am sure they will be up there. And don't discount Tottenham.

"They have a strong pool of goalscorers and they are the ones who can change games."