Manchester United and Jose Mourinho are now unbeaten in their last 12 league games this season, and are slowly looking up the points table. They will not be happy with the stalemate at home against Liverpool in the last round but they will have to keep up the good work if they are to entertain a genuine chance of Champions League football next season.
Mourinho will hope that his team can put in a better performance this weekend but it will not be easy for the Red Devils to take anything from a place where they have not won for a long time. Manchester Untied travel to the Bet 365 stadium this weekend to face a Stoke City side that is fresh from a win over Sunderland. It is not a fixture that United will relish but they will hope that they can get the work done on the night. Here is the strongest lineup that Mourinho can field for this tie:
Here is the strongest lineup that Mourinho can field for this tie:
Team News:
Manchester United will miss defender Eric Bailly for this game against Stoke City as he is out on international duty. He remains the only absentee for Mourinho for this clash:
Expected lineup (4-2-3-1):
David de Gea:
After a rather comfortable afternoon against Liverpool, De Gea will hope to have a similar night this weekend.
Antonio Valencia:
Having just put pen to paper on a new contract, Valencia will be full of confidence and will hope to help his side to a victory.
Phil Jones:
Though not at his best, Jones has been decent at the back for United and Mourinho has no reason to change a combination that has been working for a while now.
Marcos Rojo:
The Argentine has time and again shown a few weaknesses playing as a CB but Mourinho has enough faith in him to use him in this game.
Luke Shaw:
The England international has got enough training under his belt and this game would be perfect for him to make a comeback into the first team.
Ander Herrera:
Arguably the best player for United in the previous round, Herrera is expected to play a similar role in this game against Stoke.
Michael Carrick:
Though ineffective at the Old Trafford the other day, Carrick is integral to the plans at the club for Mourinho and should start for Manchester United this weekend.
Paul Pogba:
Coming back from one of the worst performances of his career, Pogba has a great chance to make things right on this trip to Stoke.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan:
The Armenian winger was decent in the previous outing for United but Mourinho will hope that he puts a bit more effort in the final third in this game.
Jesse Lingard:
The youngster was an unused substitute in the draw against Liverpool but he should be back in the starting XI for United on the night.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
The Swede scored the equalizer that gave his side a point in the previous fixture and the manager and the fans will hope that he has a similar impact on this game against the Potters.