CHARLIE ADAM SCORED twice as Stoke City beat Manchester United 2-1 this afternoon to show the flailing Premier League champions it will take more than one big-money signing to improve their fortunes.
The optimism created by Juan Mata‘s transfer from Chelsea drained away as United were beaten for the third time in their last five league games, losing ground on rivals Everton, who beat Aston Villa 2-1, and Tottenham Hotspur who drew 1-1 at Hull City.
United, who fielded Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Mata in a mouth-watering forward line, were again undone at the back.
Adam rifled home a spectacular winner in the second half to leave United seventh on 40 points, five adrift of Everton in fifth and four behind Spurs.
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