Hughes Reckons Manchester United Have Lost Confidence

Stoke manager Mark Hughes reckons Manchester United have lost their assurance in recent weeks, making them easier to play against.

Hughes, who won 11 trophies during his 13 years as a player with at United, watched his Stoke side beat their illustrious visitors 2-0 with ease at the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day.

And the Welshman reckons any team has a chance against United at the moment if they are not allowed to settle into a game.

"United have gone three or four games without a win so it's a confidence thing," the Stoke boss said after his team's 2-0 win.

"It does give you an opportunity to get a better performance and play well as a team.

"We talked about their levels of confidence because you have to drain as much of that as you can from the opposition because that allows you to grow as a team.

"I think that's exactly what we did in the first half. We didn't allow them to settle - any anxiety they had or apprehension about the game was borne out because in that opening period, we were really dominant."

Hughes feels perception is shifting that Stoke are just merely a difficult team to beat with the likes of Bojan Krkic and Marko Arnautovic bringing some subtlety to their style of play.

Hughes reckons Arnautovic is starting to listen to advice, and his game is improving as a result.

"We tell him until we are blue in the face to shoot more, to be perfectly honest, because he has great power," Hughes said of the Austrian, who has scored six goals this season, including his strike against United.

"Maybe that will encourage him."

Hughes also praised captain Ryan Shawcross, who kept Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellaini at bay, leading to Stoke fans calling on England manager Roy Hodgson to call the defender into his squad.

"He's been excellent for a long time," Hughes said.

"I thought he was outstanding. Our crowd are a bit biased on occasions but you heard them and what they were singing. It's credit to him - he just gets on with it.

"He's parked that side of his ambition. He just wants to do well for us. If it happens it happens.

"It's not a decision we can influence. All Ryan can do is just play well."

Credit: Skysports.com