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Premier League

Jan 1, 2015 at 12.45pm UK

Stoke Stoke City
1-1
Man Utd Manchester United

Shawcross (2')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Falcao (26')

Player Ratings: Stoke City 1-1 Manchester United

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 01 January 2015

Sports Mole analyses how each individual player performed during Stoke City's 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the Premier League.

Stoke City and Manchester United shared the points in a 1-1 draw at the Britannia on Thursday.

Radamel Falcao cancelled out an early Ryan Shawcross strike to leave the scores level at the break.

However, neither side could find a winner in the second 45 minutes as the points were shared in the first Premier League match of 2015.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed during the Premier League affair.

Ryan Shawcross of Stoke City celebrates scoring the first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester United at Britannia Stadium on January 1, 2015 © Getty Images

STOKE

Goal

Asmir Begovic: Hardly had anything to do aside from collecting a few corners. Could not do much with the United goal after Michael Carrick had met the first ball. (6/10)

Defence

Geoff Cameron: Usually an attacking force for Potters, but was more focused on his defensive work this time around. Solid performance from the American international. (6/10)

Ryan Shawcross: Opened the scoring with a clever flick inside two minutes, while he was excellent at the heart of the defence. Strong and composed afternoon for the centre-back. (8/10)

Marc Muniesa: Initially struggled to settle in the Premier League, but has been strong in recent months. No-frills performance from the Spaniard alongside Shawcross. (7/10)

Erik Pieters: Put in a couple of dangerous crosses from the left and dealt well with the threat of Ashley Young. Another that is in good form for Stoke. (7/10)

Midfield

Jonathan Walters: Did not feature too much in the final third, but put in such a shift down the right. The ultimate team-player delivered again for Mark Hughes. (7/10)

Steven N'Zonzi: Quietly becoming one of the best central midfielders in the league. Strong in the tackle and sprayed some excellent passes around the field. (7/10)

Glenn Whelan: Solid, yet unspectacular from the central midfielder. Did not have much of an impact, but kept things ticking over in the middle of the park. (6/10)

Marco Arnautovic: Question marks remain over his temperament, but the midfielder has such quality. Caused problems with his delivery from set pieces. (7/10)

Attack

Peter Crouch: Set up Shawcross's goal with a clever header, before hitting the post in the second period. Surely will not be sold in the January transfer window. (8/10)

Mame Biram Diouf: Caused problems with his pace and power, but missed an excellent chance in the first period after bullying Jonny Evans off the ball. (6/10)

Substitutes

Oussama Assaidi: Only given the final 10 minutes, but made a positive impression with some smart wing work. (6/10)

Radamel Falcao of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Manchester United at Britannia Stadium on January 1, 2015 © Getty Images

MAN UNITED

Goal

David de Gea: Could not do much for Stoke's opener and had little else to do. Has comfortably been his side's best player in the first half of the campaign. (6/10)

Defence

Jonny Evans: Looked shaky each time he was put under pressure. Bullied by Diouf in the final third and was also poor in possession of the ball. (5/10)

Phil Jones: Was guilty of losing Crouch for Stoke's opener and looked a little untidy under pressure. Improved in the second period though. (6/10)

Chris Smalling: The pick of his side's centre-backs. Made a number of crucial clearances and was also strong in the air under aerial bombardment. (7/10)

Midfield

Ashley Young: Has been in fine form in recent weeks, but found it more difficult at the Britannia. Departed with a hamstring injury 15 minutes front time. (6/10)

Michael Carrick: Another that has thrived during United's unbeaten run, but the midfielder could not impact the match at Stoke. Solid, but no more than that. (6/10)

Wayne Rooney: Continued in central midfield, but struggled to influence proceedings from a deeper position. Finished the match at centre-forward alongside Robin van Persie. (6/10)

Luke Shaw: One of his side's better performers on the day. Was defensively sound and got forward well during his 64 minutes on the field. (7/10)

Attack

Juan Mata: Was always looking for that final pass, but the Spaniard's radar was a little off. (6/10)

Radamel Falcao: Struggled in the early moments, but scored with a clever finish after 26 minutes. Was a big surprise when the Colombian was subbed just past the hour mark. (7/10)

Robin van Persie: Only really had one chance at the Britannia - placing one wide in the second period. Not the Dutchman's best day in a United shirt. (6/10)

Substitutes

Ander Herrera: Slotted into the middle of midfield for the latter part of the game. Was busy in possession, but could not impact the final result. (6/10)

Adnan Januzaj: Given 25 minutes to make an impression, but the Belgian youngster really struggled. Poor in possession and guilty of losing his marker down the left. (5/10)

Rafael: Introduced in place of Young for the final 10 minutes and had a late attempt blocked at the near post. Should now be given a run in the first XI. (6/10)