Mark hughes
Mark Hughes sacked as Southampton manager
Assistant first team manager Mark Bowen and assistant first team coach Eddie Niedzwiecki have also left the club.
Two superbly taken first-half strikes, from Antonio Valencia and Anthony Martial, put United in command against a spirited Stoke side.
The decision came within hours of a shock defeat in the FA Cup third round by Coventry City, three leagues below them.
Gareth Bale believes he can succeed where Ryan Giggs, Mark Hughes and Ian Rush have failed.
Man City moved up to second place after beating Liverpool 2-1.
Stoke City appoints Mark Hughes as their new manager to replace Tony Pulis.
Following the club’s most successful season in more than four decades, Mancini's contract will run until 2017.