United held at bay by double Maxim
MANCHESTER UNITED lost their 100 per cent record this season as they were forced to settle for a share of the points in a thrilling game.
They remain top of the table, but only on goal difference from neighbours Manchester City, who joined them after their lunchtime demolition of 10-man Liverpool.
But it is now five seasons since United last passed the ‘ Stoke’ test. Victories in the Potteries have come to be seen as a statement of intent from potential title winners.
Just last month, Arsenal slipped to a defeat here, which opened up all the old questions about their inability to challenge for the biggest prize.
United’s last league win on this ground came in April 2013 – the last away win during Sir Alex Ferguson’s glorious reign on the way to their last title.
After their perfect August, Red Devils boss Mourinho shuffled his pack by making three changes from the side that beat Leicester last time out.
Marcus Rashford was back in from the start with Anthony Martial returning to the bench, while there were first Premier League starts of the season for Matteo Darmian and Ander Herrera.
The presence of the Spaniard gave the Reds a formidable look as Paul Pogba was pushed forward into a more advanced role.
Stoke made two alterations, but both of them came in the back three with captain Ryan Shawcross one of the players missing
out as he battles a back injury. That meant a debut for Kevin Wimmer, the Austrian who was brought in for £ 18 million from Tottenham in transfer deadline week.
The game began at breakneck speed with Eric Bailly making a vital tackle on Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting at one end and Kurt Zouma doing likewise on Romelu Lukaku at the other inside the opening 90 seconds.
Then when Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland launched a clearance downfield, Jese broke United’s offside trap, but pulled his shot wide of the far post.
As the visitors began to enjoy more possession, Lukaku peeled away to the right and delivered a low ball across for Pogba breaking forward, but his goalbound flick was well read by Geoff Cameron, who diverted it out for a corner.
Then Bailly managed to release Rashford with an excellent ball out of defence, but the young England forward was denied by Butland’s legs.
The Stoke goalkeeper made a better save from the same player minutes later when he pushed away a low shot that was heading for the bottom corner.
In between those, David De Gea had been called into action for the first time as he got down well to Xherdan Shaqiri’s effort.
However, United were stunned as they fell behind two minutes before the break. Mame Biram Diouf was picked out in space on the right wing and his cross was impressively turned in by Choupo-Moting for his first goal in England.
It was the first goal they had conceded in the Premier League, but their response was emphatic as they were level by half-time.
Nemanja Matic flicked on an in-swinging corner from Henrik Mkhitaryan, which Pogba headed against Rashford and in. The home defenders were convinced Rashford was offside, but referee Neil Swarbrick waved away their protests, and the decision was backed up by TV replays.
Just over 10 minutes after the restart, Mourinho’s men were ahead. Lukaku was onside when Mkhitaryan slid him in and although Butland saved the first effort, the Belgian gobbled up the rebound.
This time, the home side responded positively and De Gea produced an incredible reflex save to tip over Jese’s volley.
The reprieve was temporary as from Shaqiri’s resulting corner, Choupo- Moting got free to head home at the back post for his second of the game.
Martial and Juan Mata were then sent on as United went in search of a winner and the Frenchman nearly set one up with a great cross, which Lukaku blazed over from eight yards out.
While in injury time, Butland preserved the draw with a brilliant stop to keep out a header from his own man Zouma.