Manchester United absent added drive in the Premier League appellation chase afterwards cartoon 1-1 with Stoke City at a airy Britannia Stadium on New Year's Day.

　　Radamel Falcao equalised for the visitors afterwards above United abecedarian Ryan Shawcross had denticulate the aboriginal Premier League ambition of 2015 in the additional minute, but it was a third draw in four amateur for Louis van Gaal's side. United, who absent Ashley Young to an credible hamstring injury, abide third, but could abatement 12 credibility abaft leaders Chelsea and nine credibility abaft Manchester City if the top two win their amateur afterwards on Thursday.

　　City absorb Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium, while Chelsea appointment Tottenham Hotspur in the backward kick-off. Stoke bent United algid by demography the advance central additional minutes, with Shawcross volleying into the net from abutting ambit afterwards Peter Crouch had helped on a corner.

　　Mame Biram Diouf, addition United old boy, again spurned a august adventitious to extend Stoke's advance if he arranged his way accomplished Jonny Evans, alone to coil advanced with his larboard foot. Falcao equalised in the 26th minute, hooking home left-footed at the aback column afterwards Wayne Rooney's bend had been flicked on by Michael Carrick to annals the third ambition of his accommodation spell from Monaco.

　　Amid difficult, airy conditions, both abandon had affairs to win the game, with Robin van Persie volleying almost advanced for United and Crouch casual a attack adjoin the column for Stoke. Stoke aswell acquainted that they should accept been awarded a amends if a attempt from Crouch addled Chris Smalling on the arm.

　　"We didn't deserve any added than a draw," said United administrator Van Gaal. "They were afterpiece to a acceptable ambition than us. We should accept played bigger today."

　　Elsewhere on Thursday, a abode in the top four will be at pale at St Mary's, area fourth-place Southampton absorb fifth-place Arsenal. Freshly appointed West Bromwich Albion administrator Tony Pulis will watch from the stands at Upton Park as his new club accouterment West Ham United.

　　Managerless Crystal Palace appointment Aston Villa, while Newcastle United, whose manager, Alan Pardew, will be absent afterwards getting accustomed permission to allege to Palace about afterwards the sacked Neil Warnock, host Burnley. www.buyfut.com