The Manchester United faithful left in fine heart after their side progressed to the Capital One Cup semi-finals, where they will face Sunderland, then awaited the prognosis on Wayne Rooney, whose injury meant he missed this trip to the Potteries.

With Robin van Persie already out for a month because of a groin problem, the United manager, David Moyes, offered a bulletin after this convincing win. "He's [Rooney's] got a groin strain," he said before being asked if Rooney would be available for Saturday's visit of West Ham United. "He has got a chance, yes."

Of the semi-final draw, Moyes said: "We have got a game at Sunderland and at Old Trafford in the second leg. You saw what Sunderland did, they had a really good result against Chelsea. We are going to have to play well over the two legs to get to the final but this club is used to these situations. Hopefully over the two legs we will be able to show that."

Moyes is not concerned that Manchester City, who play West Ham in the other half of the draw, may await in the Wembley showpiece on 2 March. "I would like to see Manchester United in the final," he said.

While United's season may hinge on when Rooney returns, this was a thoroughly heartening evening for Moyes. He watched Ashley Young score a first goal since May 2012 and heard the away support sing his name in an offering of welcome succour during a contest that was held up for five minutes by a hailstorm, which forced the referee, Mark Clattenburg, to take the sides off after half an hour.

Of Young, Moyes said: "He has got to keep stepping up like he did tonight. What I have noticed is when you come to Manchester United, and you are playing in the team, you have got to show it when you get your moments and opportunities, and I thought he showed that tonight."

That previous strike for the winger came in a 2-0 win at Swansea City. Of the 25-yard bullet that left Thomas Sorensen with no chance, Young said: "I got a clean strike and luckily it went in. It was great play by Chicha [Javier Hernández] to set it up and as soon as I hit it I knew it was going to go in. It's a relief to get the goal. I'm delighted. The boys were magnificent tonight and we're delighted to go through."

Young has had an uneven season so far. "I want to play more. I've been on the bench and coming off. I want to be in the team. Every player wants to be in the starting line-up and I'm no different," he said.

United began the brighter and came close to scoring moments after the start when Danny Welbeck found Young, whose shot rifled the side netting.

United's right-back Rafael da Silva was the first to be embarrassed by the wild conditions when an easy pass from Chris Smalling bounced over his right leg and out of play.

Keeping the ball on the ground was the best response and Stoke showed how with a rare smooth move along their right flank that ended with Geoff Cameron cutting in and hitting a left-foot shot which failed to test David De Gea.

The best offered by United was an Anderson attempt and a mazy run by Patrice Evra from which United failed to capitalise.

It was at this juncture that the hail began to fall and Clattenburg took the sides off, after they had first sheltered near the benches. "I have been involved in games that have been abandoned for snow or something but I don't think I have ever been in a situation where we have had to come off," Moyes said. "But I thought the referee made the right decision. I know it was unfortunate for the spectators but he claimed he couldn't see through the hailstones and maybe the pitch might have got a bit slippy. The decision was made and we got on with it."

By the 58th minute Moyes had seen enough of Anderson, who was making a first start since late September, and he was replaced by Hernández.

With United camped in the opposition half they looked the more likely winners of the tie and moments later the substitution was vindicated when the Mexico striker provided the deftest of lay-offs from which Young blasted the finish beyond Sorensen.

For Moyes satisfaction was complete when Evra confirmed the win, cutting in to curl a right-foot shot past Sorensen after Young had played the left-back into a scoring position. As the manager left the field he was greeted by chants of "Come on David Moyes" to leave him in no doubt of the support he retains.