EPL: Radamel Falcao Salvages a Point for Manchester United
Radamel Falcao equalised for the visitors after former United trainee Ryan Shawcross had scored the first Premier League goal of 2015 in the second minute, but it was a third draw in four games for Louis van Gaal's side.
Manchester United lost further momentum in the Premier League title race after drawing 1-1 with Stoke City at a windy Britannia Stadium on New Year's Day.
Radamel Falcao equalised for the visitors after former United trainee Ryan Shawcross had scored the first Premier League goal of 2015 in the second minute, but it was a third draw in four games for Louis van Gaal's side.
Stoke caught United cold by taking the lead inside second minutes, with Shawcross volleying into the net from close range after Peter Crouch had helped on a corner.
Mame Biram Diouf, another United old boy, then spurned a glorious chance to extend Stoke's lead when he bundled his way past Jonny Evans, only to curl wide with his left foot.
Falcao equalised in the 26th minute, hooking home left-footed at the back post after Wayne Rooney's corner had been flicked on by Michael Carrick to register the third goal of his loan spell from Monaco.
Amid difficult, blustery conditions, both sides had chances to win the game, with Robin van Persie volleying narrowly wide for United and Crouch glancing a header against the post for Stoke.
Stoke also felt that they should have been awarded a penalty when a shot from Crouch struck Chris Smalling on the arm.