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Xherdan Shaqiri v Morgan Schneiderlin
Both of these new signings have had rather okay starts to life at their respect clubs, with both showings glimpses and flashes of their actual capabilities but lacking consistencies. The game would provide us the perfect battle between both Schneiderlin and Shaqiri, who would love to prove their might over the other.
Shaqiri blew City apart with his pace, trickery and vision but Schneiderlin is someone who, with the help of his accurate reading of the game, composure and tackling, likes to deny the opposition in doing just that. The French midfield dynamo was dropped against Norwich due to unexplainable reasons, while Shaqiri has shown clear signs of inconsistency.
With the United defence not looking as rock solid as it looked earlier, the midfield battle would go a long way in deciding the outcome of the game.
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Anthony Martial v Ryan Shawcross
Anthony Martial has been United’s sole glimmer of hope, a diminutive ray of optimism amidst sun shaped levels of pessimism. He has carried the whole attacking burden of United team devoid of pace and acceleration and has done very well in doing so too. He scored a lovely goal last week and brought some cheer back to Old Trafford but only in vain. Tomorrow, he’ll come face to face with former United defender Ryan Shawcross, who has come back into the first team setup after getting rid of an injury in November.
The last time United Visited Stoke, Shawcross scored a header early on in the game and although, it’s unlikely that he’ll replicate the task but he’ll have to deal with a substantial customer, come Saturday evening. Martial’s burst of pace, ball control, finishing is a joy to watch and mind boggling, when his immense composure and swagger combines with it.
Shawcross’ physical presence and no nonsense attitude towards defending is something that will always be an issue for Martial’s toolkit, but the intriguing battle will surely end up deciding which team comes out on top at the Britannia on Saturday.