Home UEFA Champions League FIVE things we learned from Stoke vs United

FIVE things we learned from Stoke vs United

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Stoke City 2-0 Manchester United

1. Van Gaal close to the sack

After three defeats in their last five games, Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is under serious pressure.

The Red Devils have slipped from top of the Premier League, all the way down to sixth place; they have even been knocked out of the Champions League at the group stages – meaning that they will now take part in the Europa League.

Van Gaal needs results and fast, but that’s if he remains the United manager within the coming days. The Dutchman is the bookies’ favourite to receive the sack ahead of any other top flight manager.

2. Stoke have some serious firepower

After this result, it is clear that Stoke City have some serious firepower in their attacking ranks.

Jonathan Walters and Mame Biram Diouf couldn’t make the starting line-up, meaning that Stoke played Xherdan Shaqiri, Ibrahim Afellay and Marko Arnautovic behind Bojan.

Two of the four scored, which meant that the Potters won 2-0 and took all three points at the Brittania Stadium.

Stoke, who may not be known for their quality, certainly have some top players this season and can perhaps mount a challenge for a European spot under Mark Hughes this term.

3. Young is not a defender

Throughout the game, Ashley Young played at right full-back for Manchester United.

It was clear that he was out his depth, as he is a naturally winger and therefore a more attacking player.

However, today the former Aston Villa man played in a defensive role for van Gaal, which back fired massively.

Young was unable to cope defensively with Arnautovic, who consistently peeled off him and powerfully beat him with the ball to make one-on-one situations and chances for his teammates.

4. Is Depay the flop of the summer?

Since his arrival from PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands winger Memphis Depay has failed to make an impact at Old Trafford.

The Dutch international attacker hasn’t proved himself in the final third for United, and today at Stoke he made a howler defensively.

Under pressure from Stoke full-back Glen Johnson, Depay tried to head the ball back to Red Devils’ goalkeeper David De Gea. Despite his best attempt, Memphis couldn’t generate enough power on the header and Johnson latched on the loose ball, before squaring to Bojan who tapped the ball home for 1-0.

Depay has really struggled to settle with life in Manchester and we are yet to see the best of his ability.

5. Ryan Shawcross showed his potential

Once of the Manchester United academy, Stoke centre-back Ryan Shawcross showed just what a good defender he is.

He is the tough and solid type and there aren’t many English centre-halves of his calibre in England’s top flight.

He covered Glen Johnson excellently, winning the ball in one-on-ones and also beat Anthony Martial to every first and second ball.

Such performances from the Potters’ captain simply cannot keep going unnoticed, Roy Hodgson may have him on the radar for an England call-up.

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