A defensive calamity led to Joe Allen’s equaliser that earned Stoke City a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford as Manchester United were made to pay for some poor finishing.
In a game that was largely dominated by the hosts, Jose Mourinho’s troops failed to capitalise on their good spells.
Here are five reasons why United were left with only a share of the spoils.
IBRAHIMOVIC MUST BE MORE CLINICAL
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is considered one of the finest strikers in world football, even at the age of 34. However, the Swede had enough chances to score a hat-trick on Sunday but ultimately failed to find the net.
With only the keeper to beat early on, his attempt at a clever near post finish was thwarted when there was far more net to aim at towards the far corner. He did force Lee Grant into action again but also skewed a couple of efforts wide.
United as a whole were wasteful in front of goal with Paul Pogba also missing a couple of glorious opportunities but as the team’s premier striker and given his reputation, Ibrahimovic should be hitting the net with the number of chances he was afforded.
LEE GRANTS STOKE A POINT
To be fair to Ibrahimovic, he did come up against a goalkeeper in inspired form. On loan from Derby County, Lee Grant produced save after save to keep Stoke in a game that should’ve been beyond them by half-time.
With Jack Butland injured, Mark Hughes opted for Grant ahead of veteran Premier League custodian Shay Givens. Despite pulling off fine saves to deny Ibrahimovic, his finest moment was when he kept out Jesse Lingard quite remarkably.
PAUL POGBA STIFLED
Joe Allen may have grabbed the all-important equaliser to earn the visitors a draw but that wasn’t his most telling contribution.
Even though he broke through on goal in the first half, only to shoot wide, and saw his header crash off the cross bar in the dying moments, Paul Pogba spent most of his time trying to wriggle free from Allen.
The Welshman was a thorn in the Frenchman’s side, shadowing him throughout the game so much so that Pogba’s frustration got the better of him in closing stages when he wrestled Allen to the ground.
MICHAEL CARRICK’S ABSENCE
Ander Herrera has been excellent in midfield for United but in a game where the Red Devils needed to break down the opposition’s defence, Michael Carrick’s orchestral abilities from the middle of the park would’ve been put to good use.
United missed the Englishman’s vast array of passes which would’ve helped them maintain pressure on The Potters until breaking point.
Rather than the introduction of Wayne Rooney, Carrick’s inclusion may have helped United keep their heads in the latter stages and stretch their opponents as they searched for a winner.
RESIDUAL VAN GAAL PHILOSOPHY
A Jose Mourinho defence does not dilly-dally on the ball. However, that’s precisely what Daley Blind was guilty of leading up to the equaliser.
Apart from that lack of urgency to clear their lines, much of United’s disjointed play reeks of a group of players often being caught between two styles.
It’s clear that United are taking a while to shed the philosophy that Louis van Gaal tried to drill into them over a two-year period.