Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s double secured Stoke City a battling 2-2 draw at home to a wasteful Manchester United side that dropped points for the first time this season.
Jose Mourinho’s men attracted plenty of admirers for their impressive start to the campaign, but they were not at their best in front of goal and Choupo-Moting inspired Stoke to a commendable point at the bet365 Stadium.
Stoke found the breakthrough in the 43rd minute through Choupo-Moting, but that only seemed to jolt United into life, as they restored parity shortly after in fortuitous circumstances when a Paul Pogba header deflected in off Marcus Rashford.
Romelu Lukaku put United ahead for the first time just before the hour, but like with Stoke’s opener, an equaliser followed soon after as Choupo-Moting doubled his tally.
Stoke took full advantage of those let-offs late in the half – Choupo-Moting slamming in from close range after a fine Mame Biram Diouf cross.
Their joy was short-lived, though, as United levelled a few moments later as Pogba’s header hit an oblivious Rashford following a Henrikh Mkhitaryan corner and found the net.
United completed the turnaround in the 57th minute and Mkhitaryan was at the centre of things again, slicing open the Stoke defence with an intricate pass for Lukaku, who found the net at the second time of asking after Butland saved his first effort.
But Stoke were level again shortly after.
David De Gea made a remarkable save to deny Jese initially, but from the resulting corner he was rendered helpless, as Choupo-Moting headed in at the back post after shaking off Phil Jones’ weak challenge.