Man United Inquest: Player ratings at Stoke, Van Gaal's big mistake, legend blasts players

NEWS NEWS BLOG SPORT conducts a post-mortem after Manchester United's defeat to Stoke.

 

Manchester United players don't know where to look against Stoke

 

Rio Ferdinand's tweet just about summed it up as his old side lost 2-0 at the Britannia Stadium.

@rioferdy5: "I'm not even surprised....that's what hurts even more at @ManUtd ....come on boys"

 

MOMENT OF THE MATCHMarko Arnautovic's goal. A late contender for the best goal of 2015 - the Austrian showed superb composure to steady himself when the ball dropped to him after Bojan's shot was blocked and he rifled the ball into the top corner from 25 yards to make it 2-0. David de Gea had no chance.

STAR MAN

Marko Arnautovic: Stoke caused United troubles across the final third all afternoon and no one did as much damage as Arnautovic. The forward occupied all three positions behind Bojan Krkic at various times in the match. He was too strong for United's defenders, who bounced off him when he ran with the ball. He picked United apart when he lifted his head up and took his goal superbly well.

VIEW FROM THE BENCH

Van Gaal's position looks more precarious than ever thanks to this defeat. United are now without a win in seven matches and Van Gaal has some questions to answer. There was a plethora of top-quality international players on the pitch at Stoke, but none of them performed. Wayne Rooney may have been poor this season, but dropping your captain for such a big game was ultimately a mistake. Stoke boss Mark Hughes, on the other hand, rightly identified the full-back positions as United's weak spot and exploited that to perfection, with Arnautovic and Xherdan Shaqiri both causing Daley Blind and Ashley Young no end of problems.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

Diving: Anthony Martial feigned a trip looking to earn a penalty in the first half. Referee Kevin Friend did not fall for it and ordered the Frenchman to get up. The official did not book Martial, but he had his yellow card out of his pocket after the break when Bojan went to ground in the United box without being touched. The striker did not appeal for a penalty, but it was clear what he was trying to do and deserved his booking.