Stoke City and Manchester United shared the points in a 1-1 draw at the Britannia on Thursday.

Radamel Falcao cancelled out an early Ryan Shawcross strike to leave the scores level at the break.

However, neither side could find a winner in the second 45 minutes as the points were shared in the first Premier League match of 2015.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how each individual player performed during the Premier League affair.

STOKE

Goal

Asmir Begovic: Hardly had anything to do aside from collecting a few corners. Could not do much with the United goal after Michael Carrick had met the first ball. (6/10)

Defence

Geoff Cameron: Usually an attacking force for Potters, but was more focused on his defensive work this time around. Solid performance from the American international. (6/10)

Ryan Shawcross: Opened the scoring with a clever flick inside two minutes, while he was excellent at the heart of the defence. Strong and composed afternoon for the centre-back. (8/10)

Marc Muniesa: Initially struggled to settle in the Premier League, but has been strong in recent months. No-frills performance from the Spaniard alongside Shawcross. (7/10)

Erik Pieters: Put in a couple of dangerous crosses from the left and dealt well with the threat of Ashley Young. Another that is in good form for Stoke. (7/10)

Midfield

Jonathan Walters: Did not feature too much in the final third, but put in such a shift down the right. The ultimate team-player delivered again for Mark Hughes. (7/10)

Steven N'Zonzi: Quietly becoming one of the best central midfielders in the league. Strong in the tackle and sprayed some excellent passes around the field. (7/10)

Glenn Whelan: Solid, yet unspectacular from the central midfielder. Did not have much of an impact, but kept things ticking over in the middle of the park. (6/10)

Marco Arnautovic: Question marks remain over his temperament, but the midfielder has such quality. Caused problems with his delivery from set pieces. (7/10)

Attack

Peter Crouch: Set up Shawcross's goal with a clever header, before hitting the post in the second period. Surely will not be sold in the January transfer window. (8/10)

Mame Biram Diouf: Caused problems with his pace and power, but missed an excellent chance in the first period after bullying Jonny Evans off the ball. (6/10)

Substitutes

Oussama Assaidi: Only given the final 10 minutes, but made a positive impression with some smart wing work. (6/10)

MAN UNITED

Goal

David de Gea: Could not do much for Stoke's opener and had little else to do. Has comfortably been his side's best player in the first half of the campaign. (6/10)

Defence

Jonny Evans: Looked shaky each time he was put under pressure. Bullied by Diouf in the final third and was also poor in possession of the ball. (5/10)

Phil Jones: Was guilty of losing Crouch for Stoke's opener and looked a little untidy under pressure. Improved in the second period though. (6/10)

Chris Smalling: The pick of his side's centre-backs. Made a number of crucial clearances and was also strong in the air under aerial bombardment. (7/10)

Midfield

Ashley Young: Has been in fine form in recent weeks, but found it more difficult at the Britannia. Departed with a hamstring injury 15 minutes front time. (6/10)

Michael Carrick: Another that has thrived during United's unbeaten run, but the midfielder could not impact the match at Stoke. Solid, but no more than that. (6/10)

Wayne Rooney: Continued in central midfield, but struggled to influence proceedings from a deeper position. Finished the match at centre-forward alongside Robin van Persie. (6/10)

Luke Shaw: One of his side's better performers on the day. Was defensively sound and got forward well during his 64 minutes on the field. (7/10)

Attack

Juan Mata: Was always looking for that final pass, but the Spaniard's radar was a little off. (6/10)

Radamel Falcao: Struggled in the early moments, but scored with a clever finish after 26 minutes. Was a big surprise when the Colombian was subbed just past the hour mark. (7/10)

Robin van Persie: Only really had one chance at the Britannia - placing one wide in the second period. Not the Dutchman's best day in a United shirt. (6/10)

Substitutes

Ander Herrera: Slotted into the middle of midfield for the latter part of the game. Was busy in possession, but could not impact the final result. (6/10)

Adnan Januzaj: Given 25 minutes to make an impression, but the Belgian youngster really struggled. Poor in possession and guilty of losing his marker down the left. (5/10)

Rafael: Introduced in place of Young for the final 10 minutes and had a late attempt blocked at the near post. Should now be given a run in the first XI. (6/10)