Manchester United stay top of the Premier League table, but their winning start to the season is over after a 2-2 draw at Stoke City.
José Mourinho made three changes to the side that beat Leicester City before the international break, with Matteo Darmian, Ander Herrera and Marcus Rashford coming into the side. However, the side’s rustiness showed and it was the Potters that took the lead at the bet365 Stadium in the first half.
Some poor defending allowed Mame Biram Diouf to cross the ball towards Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, and the striker made no mistake, slotting past David de Gea. The lead lasted all of three minutes though, as United hit back through Rashford, although he knew nothing of it, with the ball coming off the back of his head after Paul Pogba’s point-blank header.
And United took the lead near the midway point of the second half. Romelu Lukaku was played through on goal by Henrikh Mkhitaryan and although Jack Butland saved the first effort, he could do nothing about the rebound.
But the Reds only held the lead for a couple of minutes and it was that man Choupo-Moting that stepped up again, heading home from a corner after Phil Jones slipped and left the Cameroonian open.
United pressed for a winner in the final stages, but were unable to find a way through, with Pogba denied by a reflex save from Butland in stoppage time.
Here are the United player ratings:
David de Gea - 7
Two good saves in the first half to deal with Xherdan Shaqiri’s long-range efforts, then a stupendous one to deny Jesé in the second. Blameless for the Stoke goals.
Antonio Valencia - 6
Much improved performance in the final third than in the first three games of the season, delivering some decent crosses into the box.
Eric Bailly - 5
Uncharacteristically error-strewn performance from the Ivorian, playing Diouf onside before allowing Choupo-Moting to get goal side for Stoke’s first. Then, allowed Jesé in to win the corner that led to the second.
Phil Jones - 5
Like Bailly, an error-strewn performance after a solid start to the season. Comically slipped, leaving Choupo-Moting open for Stoke’s equaliser.
Matteo Darmian - 5
Recalled in place of Daley Blind, and showed why Blind has been favoured for the start of the season. Gave Diouf far too much time and space to deliver the cross for Stoke’s opener, although he atoned somewhat with a decent run in the build-up to United’s second goal.
Nemanja Matic - 7
Solid performance from the Serbian, shielding the defence well. Didn’t have as much of an influence going forward with Ander Herrera drafted back into the side.
Ander Herrera - 6
Looked like a player short of match fitness. Given plenty of time and space to dictate matters but didn’t take full advantage of it.
Paul Pogba - 7
Played a number of defence-splitting passes and engineered most of United’s openings. His header was inadvertently guided in by Rashford. Faded somewhat in the second half.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan - 6
4-3-3 doesn’t really suit Mkhitaryan, as he was forced out towards the wings where he couldn’t influence matters. Still provided a wonderful through ball for Lukaku’s goal.
Marcus Rashford - 6
Threatened throughout with his direct running and the goal was just desserts for his effort, although he knew nothing about it.
Romelu Lukaku - 6
His goalscoring run for United continued in the second half. Didn’t have much service but threatened the Stoke defence with his runs and worked hard.
Substitutes
Juan Mata (6) – Had little impact as United chased a winner.
Anthony Martial (7) – Brought urgency to the United attack, including a dribble that sent Mame Biram Diouf to the hotdog stand. Also delivered a decent cross that Romelu Lukaku failed to capitalise on.
Jesse Lingard (N/A) – Came on too late to have much of an impact on proceedings.