EPL 2017/18: Stoke City 2-2 Manchester United, Player Ratings

United dropped points for the first time this season after being held to a 2-2 draw by Stoke City. The 'Red Devils' remain table toppers despite drawing away from home with rivals Manchester City placed second.

The first half saw the hosts take the lead in the 43rd minute through Eric Maxim Choupo- Moting with United leveling the scores on the brink of half time through Marcus Rashford. In what was an enthralling second half as Romelu Lukaku gave the visitors the lead after scoring in the 58th minute. Stoke got their equalizer three minutes after the hour mark when Choupo-Moting headed the ball past David De Gea.

Here's how the players fared during the game:

Stoke City:

Jack Butland: 8/10

Butland had a fantastic game in between the sticks for the hosts making a vital one-on-one save against Marcus Rashford early in the first half and also producing a magnificent save late in the game which prevented United from snatching all three points. Overall, Butland was confident with his handling, punching and wasn't at fault for the concession of both the goals.

Kevin Wimmer: 6.5/10

The Austrian made some crucial interceptions and prevented the United forwards from causing damage to his side. Wimmer won most of his duels and had a passing accuracy of 80%.

Geoff Cameron: 5.5/10

Along with Zouma and Wimmer, Cameron helped Stoke retain their discipline while defending and also kept the likes of Lukaku and Mkhitaryan from influencing the game in the first half. He was later replaced by Bruno Martins-Indi during the interval.

Kurt Zouma: 7/10

Zouma enjoyed a decent outing against a formidable opposition in Manchester United. The Frenchman won some vital tackles to keep the visitor's attack in check and made a brilliant tackle on Mkhitaryan during the second half which prevented him from going through on goal.

Erik Pieters: 4.5/10

Pieters struggled against the pace of Antonio Valencia and committed some unnecessary fouls in dangerous positions. The dutchman was caught napping during United's second goal as he played Lukaku onside.

Joe Allen: 5/10

The former Liverpool man often found it tough handling the physicality of Pogba and Matic. Allen was easily dispossessed by Darmian during the build up to the second goal while conceding a silly free kick in a dangerous position in the dying moments of the game - which could have altered the result of the match.

Darren Fletcher: 6.5/10

Fletcher used his experience to great effect in order to nullify United's attacking threat. He provided a beautiful diagonal ball to Diouf in the build up to Stoke's first goal and made a fine interception in the second half to prevent Rashford from going through on goal. The ex-United man would be a little disappointed in allowing Matic to get a flick on in United's equalizer.

Mame Biram Diouf: 7/10

Diouf offered tremendous work rate, defensive cover for Stoke and beautifully set up Choupo-Moting for the opening goal. At certain moments he was troubled by Rashford's direct approach, but as the game progressed he defended with composure.

Choupo-Moting bagged a brace to help his side secure a point

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting: 8/10

Choupo-Moting was by far the most dangerous threat for the hosts, bagging a brace against a strong defence like United's. The Cameroonian worked hard throughout the game and made some important recoveries. It was certainly a man-of-the-match performance from the former Schalke man.

Xherdan Shaqiri: 6/10

The Swiss international executed some lovely diagonal passes and linked up well with his team's forwards. Shaqiri provided a wonderful cross which was met by with the head of Choupo-Moting who grabbed the equalizer.

Jese Rodriguez: 5/10

It was a quiet afternoon for Jese who was well marshalled by United's Centre Backs. The Spanish forward was unlucky as his close range effort was brilliantly saved by De Gea in the second half.

Substitutes:

Bruno Martins-Indi: 6/10

Martins-Indi came on for Geoff Cameron during the interval to solidify Stoke's defence. His no-nonsense style of defending helped neutralizing United's attack and he boasted a pass success rate of 87%.

Saido Berahino: N/A

Berahino came on for Jese during the last fifteen minutes of the game who wasn't provided enough service to alter the course of the game.

Manchester United:

David De Gea: 7/10

The Spaniard made a couple of decent saves during the game including an excellent reaction save from Jese Rodriguez during the second half. De Gea got all his basics right and couldn't do much in stopping the two goals from being conceded.

Antonio Valencia: 6/10

Valencia troubled Stoke's wing backs with his pace and linked up nicely with Pogba and Herrera on the right hand side. Valencia would be slightly disappointed as his end product was a bit off the mark.

Eric Bailly: 4.5/10

The Ivorian was to be blamed for Stoke's opening goal as he played Diouf onside and didn't do enough to put Choupo-Moting off. It was an uncharacteristic performance from Bailly who also conceded the corner from which Stoke scored.

Phil Jones: 5/10

Jones made a steady start to the game and wasn't troubled by the right hand side of Stoke's attack during the initial moments of the game. The England International was easily beaten to the ball by Choupo-Moting, who pounced on this opportunity to get Stoke's second goal.

Matteo Darmian: 4/10

The Italian was caught out of position on numerous occasions and gave away the ball far too easily quite a few times. Darmian was troubled by the likes of Shaqiri and, like Bailly, played Diouf onside in the build up to the first goal.

Nemanja Matic: 7.5/10

Matic did a brilliant job in shielding the back four and preventing the likes of Joe Allen from dictating play. The Serbian international was also commendable in keeping and recovering possession on numerous occasions. Matic helped break down quite a few attacks from the opposition.

Ander Herrera: 6/10

Herrera used his vast reserve of energy, making some vital tackles which helped nullify the opposition's attack. The Spaniard linked up seamlessly with Pogba and Valencia in order to initiate some attacks down the left hand side of Stoke's defence.

Paul Pogba: 7/10

The Frenchman used his physicality and creativity to great effect to trouble Stoke's midfield, creating a number of through balls for the forwards to attack. Pogba would be dejected not to get a goal or an assist for all the hard work.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 6/10

Mkhitaryan had a decent outing against Stoke. Although the Armenian was subdued for some parts of the game, he played a defence splitting through ball which was finished by Lukaku for United's second goal, taking his assists tally to 5 for the season.

Marcus Rashford: 7.5/10

Rashford was a continuous threat to the right hand side of Stoke City's defence. His direct approach helped carve out a lot of chances for his teammates and himself. The youngster scored a goal in the cusp of half time.

Lukaku celebrates after giving United the lead

Romelu Lukaku: 7.5/10

The Belgian was well marshalled by Stoke's centre backs during the initial stages of the game but as the game progressed, his influence grew. Lukaku made some smart runs behind Stoke's defence which eventually resulted in him getting a goal.

Substitutes:

Juan Mata: 4/10

Mata came on for Ander Herrera in the 72nd minute but couldn't do much to help United secure all three points.

Anthony Martial: 6/10

Martial came on for Rashford in the 72nd minute and provided a beautiful cross for Lukaku who missed from close range.

Jese Lingard: N/A

Lingard replaced Mkhitaryan in the 84th minute but couldn't help United grab a late winner.