By Odiko Godwin
Another draw at the Bet365 Stadium ensured United still haven't beaten Stoke City at their ground since 2013. But, there are lessons to be taken from the clash that saw United's perfect start to the season squashed.
So what could be taken?
Manchester United's weaknesses exposed
Going into the clash - on the back of United's perfect start to the season, many will find it hard to really point out United's weak links. But Stoke City manager heading into the game, boasted that he has found out United's weaknesses and he will capitalize.
It turned out to be so: as Stoke picked out United's left flank. Sending long balls through that area(often) and attaching the likes of Diouf and Shaqiri to the zone to cause United's left-back Matteo Darmian lots of trouble - dealing with the pace and directness of Diouf, and the trickery of Shaqiri. Stoke's first goal came from Diouf getting a long ball at the left and finding an unmarked and inrushing Choupo-Moting in the box - who fired past the helpless David de Gea in goal.
Time to get Luke Shaw playing
The Englishman is the only authentic left-back in United's first team: as Delay Blind often fancy himself as a defensive midfielder and a centre-back, while, Matteo Darmian is naturally a right full-back. But reoccurring injuries haven't helped the former Southampton man settle well in the team.
Having played three times for the reserves in this campaign, I expect José Mourinho to now try getting him involved in first team activities. Has pace, can defend well, can assist the left wingman appropriately when attacking and has got decent crossing ability. Shaw is what Manutd need now in their left-back position.
Stoke should be doing well away from home with their squad
Teams regardless of their status and profile often meet their Waterloo when they play against Stoke at the Bet365 Stadium. This is because Stoke set themselves out in a fashion that makes them difficult to beat at home.
But they have got the squad and a manager that can ensure they make themselves even as formidable away from home as they are at home. With a manager in the form of Mark Hughes, and players like Xherdan Shaqiri, Joe Allen, Darren Fletcher, Jese Rodriquez and goal keeper Jack Butland, Stoke City should be causing teams havoc away from home this season - as they will do at home.
United beginning to find strength in set- pieces
Now four games running - and Manchester United have scored from a set-piece. And if United continue in this form, they will be getting results - even when goals are proving hard to come by from open play.
The acquisition of a proper winger in January will do United's season much good
Rashford, Martial, Mata, Mkhitaryan and Lingard who have all been utilized in wide positions this season by Mourinho are not natural wingers. And you can't really get the required end-product from them - as you'd expect from a proper winger.
Though Rashford and Martial can boast of the pace and skills a proper winger exhibit, it is still the essentiality of a proper winger to create goals from the flank - that just slightly elude those two. Mata and Mkhitaryan - lacking pace and stamina, would not fit in as a proper winger.
If United can try to get one in January, it would really do their season much good.
Photo source: Twitter/@ManUtd, @stokecity,@XS_11official & @AnthonyMartial
Another draw at the Bet365 Stadium ensured United still haven't beaten Stoke City at their ground since 2013. But, there are lessons to be taken from the clash that saw United's perfect start to the season squashed.
So what could be taken?
Manchester United's weaknesses exposed
Going into the clash - on the back of United's perfect start to the season, many will find it hard to really point out United's weak links. But Stoke City manager heading into the game, boasted that he has found out United's weaknesses and he will capitalize.
That left flank, that left flank. Mark Hughes winning José Mourinho tactically at the moment. #STKMUN— Odiko Godwin🌀 🇳🇬 (@OdikoGodwin) September 9, 2017
It turned out to be so: as Stoke picked out United's left flank. Sending long balls through that area(often) and attaching the likes of Diouf and Shaqiri to the zone to cause United's left-back Matteo Darmian lots of trouble - dealing with the pace and directness of Diouf, and the trickery of Shaqiri. Stoke's first goal came from Diouf getting a long ball at the left and finding an unmarked and inrushing Choupo-Moting in the box - who fired past the helpless David de Gea in goal.
Time to get Luke Shaw playing
The Englishman is the only authentic left-back in United's first team: as Delay Blind often fancy himself as a defensive midfielder and a centre-back, while, Matteo Darmian is naturally a right full-back. But reoccurring injuries haven't helped the former Southampton man settle well in the team.
Having played three times for the reserves in this campaign, I expect José Mourinho to now try getting him involved in first team activities. Has pace, can defend well, can assist the left wingman appropriately when attacking and has got decent crossing ability. Shaw is what Manutd need now in their left-back position.
Stoke should be doing well away from home with their squad
Teams regardless of their status and profile often meet their Waterloo when they play against Stoke at the Bet365 Stadium. This is because Stoke set themselves out in a fashion that makes them difficult to beat at home.
But they have got the squad and a manager that can ensure they make themselves even as formidable away from home as they are at home. With a manager in the form of Mark Hughes, and players like Xherdan Shaqiri, Joe Allen, Darren Fletcher, Jese Rodriquez and goal keeper Jack Butland, Stoke City should be causing teams havoc away from home this season - as they will do at home.
You just wonder how Stoke play so well at home against top sides, but go away and get beat ruthlessly(often).#STKMUN— Odiko Godwin🌀 🇳🇬 (@OdikoGodwin) September 9, 2017
United beginning to find strength in set- pieces
Now four games running - and Manchester United have scored from a set-piece. And if United continue in this form, they will be getting results - even when goals are proving hard to come by from open play.
The acquisition of a proper winger in January will do United's season much good
Rashford, Martial, Mata, Mkhitaryan and Lingard who have all been utilized in wide positions this season by Mourinho are not natural wingers. And you can't really get the required end-product from them - as you'd expect from a proper winger.
Though Rashford and Martial can boast of the pace and skills a proper winger exhibit, it is still the essentiality of a proper winger to create goals from the flank - that just slightly elude those two. Mata and Mkhitaryan - lacking pace and stamina, would not fit in as a proper winger.
If United can try to get one in January, it would really do their season much good.
Photo source: Twitter/@ManUtd, @stokecity,
I hope to see Luke Shaw come back stronger than ever. Stoke City are a real pain in the ass.
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