By Alan Duffy
Stoke City 1-1 Manchester United – Premier League – September 24
Manchester United saw their perfect start to the new Premier League campaign come to an end after a very difficult encounter with Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.
With Wayne Rooney sidelined with a hamstring injury, Antonio Valencia filling in at right-back for Jonny Evans, who limped out of the pre-match warm-up, and Michael Owen coming on for the injured Javier Hernandez after just 11 minutes, it just wasn’t going to be United’s day.
In-form Portuguese wing wizard Nani netted yet another goal to give the visitors the lead but a second-half header from beanpole striker Peter Crouch levelled the scores in a game which the Potters could well have won.
Veteran loverman Ryan Giggs could have snatched all three points for United at the death, however, only for the Welsh Lothario to fluff his lines with a wayward left-foot shot.
Owen for England! The famous horse enthusiast skips past Glenn Whelan
It’s a Nani state – the in-form wideboy does it again
United celebrates Nani’s goal
Woody Woodgate foils another Nani sortie
Crouchie strikes back for the Potters
The leggy blonde hails the Britannia faithful
Rio Ferdinand has words with Rory Delap
Fergie rues Ryan Giggs’ late miss