The first game of 2015 and Louis van Gaal will hope there aren�t too many more like it over the course of the next 12 months. If the Dutchman didn�t fully appreciate what to expect from a trip to a blustery Britannia Stadium, he does now.
Manchester United came through a gruelling early New Year�s Day test in which they were bombarded, buffeted, at times besieged and yet ultimately still unbeaten in 10 games stretching back to the start of November.
Former Old Trafford favourite Mark Hughes has done a fine job polishing up the Potters since he took over here, but some of the old hallmarks still remain and Stoke relished making life as uncomfortable as possible for United in the windy conditions.
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