Manchester United striker Robin van Persie involved in post-match clash with Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross Stoke City manager Hughes confirmed that Shawcross had been booked by Mason following the half-time incident with Van Persie. "Yes, he pushed him I think," Hughes said. I've no idea, because I didn't see the incident but the referee wanted to book Ryan. I've never known anyone get booked in the dressing room before. While United's victory, secured by late headers from Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernández, banished an immediate air of crisis away from David Moyes's team, Van Persie's turbulent afternoon did little to dispel the sense that the 30-year-old has yet to find his form this season. His goal, which cancelled out Peter Crouch's third-minute opener, was his eighth in 11 appearances this season - the same as his total this time last season - yet the fluency of 12 months ago is not there and neither is the smile. Van Persie is beginning to scowl and become embroiled in needless on-field tussles with defenders. The former Arsenal forward suggested that his issues stem from his fitness concerns and conceded recent weeks have been "quite tough for me" due to a persistent toe injury, "To be fair, I've felt better," he added. The last couple of weeks, it has been quite tough. I've been sore in a couple of places and I want to play through that, but you know how it goes when you're sore. That's what's been happening in the last couple of weeks. Nothing too serious, but I hope to get out of that cycle sooner than later. In Van Persie and Rooney, United arguably possess the most dangerous strike pairing in the Premier League, yet service has been lacking and Stoke, who were well-organised, disciplined and over-physical at times, were able to frustrate United for lengthy periods. It required the second-half introductions of Adnan Januzaj, Antonio Valencia and Hernández to sharpen United's edge and credit is due to Moyes for going for broke when he has been subjected to accusations of being too cautious. Moyes threw caution to the wind and he was rewarded. Januzaj added flair and penetration, Valencia dealt with Stoke's physical threat far better than the uninspiring Nani and Hernández did what Hernández does - he scored the crucial late winner with a far-post header from Patrice Evra's cross. "Don't forget Chicharito because he's a great player," Van Persie said. He's a real role model to all footballers. He works so hard, I'm a really big fan of his. He came in and scored the winner, so it proves we need all of the strikers. Having overturned a 2-1 deficit to win the game, Moyes and assistant Phil Neville celebrated on the pitch in scenes reminiscent of Brian Kidd's reaction to two late Steve Bruce goals against Sheffield Wednesday 20 years ago. Hughes, who played for United that day, sensed similar relief following Hernández's goal, but he insists while Moyes's team are still seeking an identity, things are not as bad at Old Trafford as some may suggest. "Oh, it's been worse," Hughes said. I remember when we went to Millwall [in February 1990] and we were 1-0 down. If we had been beaten, we would have been in the bottom three. United are still in the top half and they will still win a lot of games this season, but teams will come here and have a go which hasn't been the case before. There's an onus on United players to do the hard yards and I just felt that, while their attacking play will always be good, going the other way it is not quite where it needs to be at the moment.