Young Rues Narrow Defeat

Ashley Young could not hide his disappointment that United could not turn pressure into goals before slipping to defeat to Stoke City at Britannia Stadium.

The Reds looked to be in control early on in the Potteries, but a deflected Charlie Adam free-kick put David Moyes’ side onto the back foot. Robin van Persie levelled the scores early in the second half, but Adam struck again with a brilliant long-range goal within five minutes that ultimately was the difference between the sides.

United’s difficulties were compounded by injuries to Jonny Evans and Phil Jones, but Young regretted that the home goal did not come under more pressure.

“On numerous occasions we got to the byline, got the ball into the box and we just wanted it to go in, but on another day we would have had three or four,” the England international told MUTV.

“Their goals were a deflection and one of those that comes out of the blue with a long-range screamer, but it’s obviously disappointing to lose when you have created so many chances.

“To lose two defenders in the way we did, after so many players came back to fitness, is also disappointing but after we got that goal early in the second half I thought we would go on to win. It was not meant to be, and there is a lot of disappointment in the dressing room.”

The closest United came to equalising for a second time was late on, when Asmir Begovic brilliantly saved a Wayne Rooney free-kick, with Tom Cleverley eventually blazing the ball over the bar following the ensuing free-for-all in the box. But it was the failure to take the chances that did come along that left Young rueing the outcome.

“Adam’s goal was a tremendous strike, but even after that we always knew we were going to be in the game. We played until the final whistle, but we’re disappointed we could not get the second goal. We talked about getting to the byline, and getting the ball into the box, but the frustrating thing is that we did not finish it off today, and that cost us.

“We’ve got to take the positives out of today and get ourselves back into the game. With creating all those chances, we have to take them.”

The game was played with high winds howling around open-cornered ground, but Young refused to blame the result on the conditions.

“It was really windy even in the warm-up, but it’s just one of those things you have to deal with, it’s always like that when you come here normally!”