Manchester United has won the last three matches on the bounce and will definitely be hoping to make it four in a row as Louis Van Gaal will know that any slip up even in December will be a big blow for the club’s ambitions of finishing in the Champions League places this season. With players slowly returning from injuries, the Dutch manager will certainly be hoping for an easier December than the rest of the campaign so far. With all due respect to Stoke City, a win against the Potters is a must if Manchester United is serious about their top 4 credentials this season.
The Red Devils are currently at fourth place, with the chance of closing the gap on third placed Southampton, who lead them by four points. The Saints travel to the Emirates On Wednesday, meaning that either of United’s rivals to the top four will lose points, which makes a win against the Potters a must.
Manchester United Vs Stoke City Talking Tactics:
With Angel Di Maria missing, the responsibility of providing the width will fall on the two fullbacks, incidentally both the full backs are wingers who are playing out of position due to the maddening injury crisis. Michael Carrick will have to provide much more protection to his centre halfs and will probably not venture out much offensively to thwart the Stoke City attack. Robin Van Persie will be leading the attack and will be hoping to continue his goal scoring run after scoring a scorcher in the last match. It remains to be seen though whether Radamel Falcao who is fully fit now or Wilson is given a starting berth for this match.
Stoke City on their part will be missing Moses but will try to trouble the Manchester United defence with the pace of Diouf and Arnautovic. Also Bojan will be a massive factor given that he is the creative outlet for this Stoke team and Manchester United will have to figure out a way to keep him quiet.
Manchester United Vs Stoke City Going by statistics:
- Manchester United has lost just once in the last 12 games against Stoke City. Also Stoke City has lost all 11 matches against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
- Manchester United won 10 and lost none of the 11 Barclays Premier League meetings with Stoke City until the Potters 2-1 victory at the Britannia Stadium in February.
- Stoke have lost their last 11 away games against Manchester United in all competitions.
- Robin van Persie has netted one goal in each of his four Premier League games against the Potters in a Manchester United shirt.
- Overall, Robin van Persie has scored 10 goals in nine Premier League appearances against Stoke.
- Hughes has already won a Premier League game as opposition manager at Old Trafford, when his Blackburn side defeated the Red Devils 2-1 in September 2005 (L7 D1 of the other eight trips there).
- Manchester United have the opportunity to win four consecutive Premier League games for only the second time since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson (after four wins in Dec 2013).
Facts compiled from eurosport.com
Players Missing:
Manchester United: Angel Di Maria (Hamstring injury), Luke Shaw, Jon Evans (Ankle injury), Daley Blind (Knee injury), Rafael (Groin injury), Phil Jones (Calf injury)
Stoke City: Robert Huth, Dave Whelan (Calf injuries), Steve Sidwell (Knee injury), Peter Odemwingie (Knee injury), Moses (Thigh injury)
Kick off: 7:45 pm BST
Manchester United Vs Stoke City Expected Lineups:
Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Rojo, Young, Carrick, Herrera, Fellaini, Mata, Falcao, Robin Van Persie
Stoke City: Begovic, Bardsley, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters, Nzonzi, Cameron, Walters, Bojan, Diouf, Crouch