Mark Hughes has admitted that his Stoke City team did not start well enough during tonight's 3-0 loss away at Manchester United.

The visiting Potters fell behind to a Jesse Lingard header in the 14th minute, with further goals from Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney either side of the break making the points safe for the hosts.

"We didn't start in the right manner. We conceded early on, were too passive and for the first goal we didn't get close enough to people," Hughes told Sky Sports News.

"Avoiding going 1-0 down early on is what you talk about before coming to Old Trafford, and unfortunately we conceded another poor goal for the second."

Stoke remain winless at Old Trafford since a 1-0 victory in April 1976.

Written by
Liam Apicella