The Reds were stretched after the Under-18 game at the weekend, with James Garner plus substitutes Dylan Levitt and D'Mani Mellor playing twice in quick succession, and two-first half goals at Harrison Park in Leek put Stoke firmly in the driving seat.
A late goal from D’Mani Mellor did briefly raise hopes of taking something from the game, only for Josh Tymon's free-kick to settle matters.
United began this match holding sixth place in the Under-18 Premier League table, one point and one place behind Aston Villa and three points adrift of fourth-placed Newcastle United. Ricky Sbragia’s team were the wearing all-blue change kit to avoid a clash with Stoke City’s red-and-white stripes.