In a performance that was uncharacteristically subdued, with a lack of drive and closing down allowing the opposition to pick their passes and control every aspect of the game, goals from Dimitar Berbatov and John O'Shea, both set up by sub Ryan Giggs, secured the points for the Red Devils.
City set up with a 4-5-1 formation but sat too deep. Ironically when they did push up the first clear chance was created as Valencia raced through the offside trap before chipping his shot wide, with Thomas Sorenson making himself big as he raced out to meet him.
The Potters did force an opportunity of their own on thirteen minutes when Lawrence burst down the right before swinging in a low cross that just evaded the incoming Kitson and Delap as they looked for the touch to prod the ball into the net.
The visitors soon regained control and Nani shot over after cutting in from the wing, before the Portugeuse winger tested keeper Sorenson in the final minute of the half when he curled an effort towards the back post, forcing an excellent save from the Danish keeper.
The start of the second half saw the Potters first attempt at goal, but it was easily saved as a weak chip from Lawrence fell into Ben Foster's arm. The turning point of the game soon arrived as the disappointing Nani was replaced with the ageing, but still inspiring, Giggs, It didn't take long for the Welsh wizard to make an impact as he was found by a great Fletcher through ball. Giggs looked up and rolled a perfectly weighted ball across the six yard box to Berbatov, allowing the Bulgarian to tap into the empty net.
The goal threatened to liven up an otherwise sleepy game as Faye headed Lawrence's free kick just wide before the resulting goal kick put Giggs through, but the winger put his shot wide. Rooney was next to try his luck but his shot went horribly wide after good pressure from Faye forced him to hurry his shot.
The match did however soon return to its afternoon nap and even the double introduction of Beattie and Tuncay couldn't stir up some chances as the crowd were unusually quiet, something they had been since five minutes in.
The result was put beyond any doubt on 77 minutes as Giggs swung in a free kick and O'Shea rose above his marker to flick the ball inside the far post to double the lead.
The game petered out as the final minutes were played with both sides in acceptance of the outcome.
Stoke(4-5-1); Sorenson; Huth, A.D.Faye, Shawcross, Collins; Lawrence(Pugh 85), Etherington, Delap, Whelan, Whitehead(Tuncay 72); Kitson(Beattie 72)