Sir Alex Ferguson has already pinpointed the Manchester derby in April as the cornerstone of his team’s current attempt to regain their English Premier League title.

A 2-0 victory over Stoke, courtesy of penalties from Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov, coupled with leaders Manchester City losing at Everton, helped United draw level on points, and within six goals of their rivals, at the top of the table.

In a campaign that has already produced so many twists and turns, the latest development merely adds to the intriguing plot.

With Ferguson expecting to welcome back the injured trio of Wayne Rooney, Nani and Ashley Young for Sunday’s visit to Chelsea, the veteran manager is clearly happy with the current status quo.

“The win is obviously significant, but it’s still the last day in January,” said Ferguson.

“I always see March as the important month and we’ve got City in April.

“I thought it was terrific, we kept our composure and were very patient. Okay, we won with two penalties, but the manner in which we played our football was the main thing.”

Fate appeared to be conspiring against United as injuries to Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea forced Ferguson into handing a league debut to 21-year-old deputy Ben Amos who was rarely troubled by a disappointing Stoke side.

A productive evening for United also included Hernandez’s return to form and, after a gap of two months, goalscoring as he claimed his seventh goal of the season with his first half penalty.

With Rooney having missed four of his past eight attempts from the spot, United now seem to have an embarrassment of riches in that department although the manager has told Rooney he is permitted to keep taking kicks as long as he wants to.

“It was a very good penalty, but he takes them for Mexico so it wasn’t a problem,” said Ferguson of Hernandez.

“Dimitar thought he was going to take the first one so he took the second one and he scored too, so we’re pleased with that.”