Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes Stoke City stopped trying to win at the Britannia after the first 25 minutes.
Wayne Rooney’s late equaliser – his club record 250th goal for the Red Devils – earned the visitors a point but Mourinho was still visibly frustrated after the final whistle.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Portuguese said: “It was a big game with two teams in the beginning trying to win. But after 25 minutes one team tried to win and the other tried to defend, which they did amazingly well.
“They showed great work-rate and did everything to try and stop us. We did everything well expect in front of our target.”
Stoke took an early lead through a Juan Mata own goal, with Erik Peiters capitalising from poor defending on United’s left flank.
United piled on the pressure throughout the game, while Stoke looked increasingly incapable of countering, before a 95th-minute goal was netted by Rooney.
Manchester United’s focus will now shift to a FA Cup Fourth Round tie against Wigan Athletic, as the Red Devils seek to retain the trophy they won under Louis van Gaal last season.
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