United manager David Moyes had a very strong attacking force at his disposal, with Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata all starting. But they fell behind when Charlie Adam’s free kick took a nick of Michael Carrick and sailed past De Gea.
United responded though, and just after half time Robin van Perise tucked home their equaliser and the Red Devils were back on track. But Stoke’s lead was restored through a fantastic 25 yard strike into the top corner from Charlie Adam, and United could never find a response.
The win sees Stoke sitting comfortbaly in the middle of the table, in 11th. But for United the loss means they remain in 7th, 9 points off the top four with Liverpool still to play tomorrow.
Manchester United manager David Moyes’ reaction: “I thought we were better team. We always had to deal with some free-kicks and corner-kicks but I thought we had done enough to get something out of the game.
“I thought we had bad luck. It was our downfall that we didn’t score from our chances but we must have got to the byline eight, nine, 10 times and never pulled the ball back, never picked somebody out in the box. It was our own doing but I thought we played well.”
Stoke City boss, Mark Hughes’ reaction: “It was a huge result for us,
That tells you how crazy the league is at the moment but we like to think we’re looking upwards. People can see we’re a really determined group and will fight all the way.
That was probably United’s strongest side but we weren’t going to show apprehension. I think the threat of United was limited because of the threat that we showed. It was a magnificent performance. We had a little bit of luck.”
By Phil Wellbrook
