Premier League: Can Stoke City put an end to Manchester United's winning run?
Straffordshire: Manchester United will look to continue their perfect unbeaten run when they meet Stoke City in the Premier League at the Bet365 stadium here on Saturday. Jose Mourinho’s side had a smooth start to the new domestic season, after keeping clean sheets in all their three Premier League matches, winning all of them.
Stoke City, though had a disappointing start to the season, losing their opener to Everton at Goodison Park, but came back to post a 1-0 win over Gunners Arsenal, thanks to the only goal from Jese. In the following match, it was Peter Crouch who got the Potters back on track against West Brom, equalising 1-1 in the 77th minute.
In terms of head-to-head, Manchester United holds a superior advantage, having won 12 of their meetings with Stoke in the Premier League, whereas the Potters have only won two matches. Four of the meetings between the two, though, have ended in draws.
Team news
Stoke City:
Stoke City have suffered a huge blow ahead of their home fixture against the Red Devils, after captain Ryan Shawcross suffered a back injury, ruling himself out of the clash.
Another setback for the Potters have been the doubtful inclusion of Scotland international Darren Fletcher in the playing XI, who suffered a knee injury. The midfielder did not feature in the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers for Scotland against Lithuania and Malta, but has returned to training.
Given the absence of Shawcross, Austria international Kevin Wimmer could be given his debut on Saturday.
Stoke City formation
Probable starting XI (3-4-2-1): Jack Butland; Kurt Zouma, Kevin Wimmer, Bruno Martins Indi; Eric Pieters, Darren Fletcher, Joe Allen, Geoff Cameron, Jese, Xherdan Shaqiri, Peter Crouch.
Manchester United
The return of Marcus Rojo and the new number 10 Zlatan Ibrahimovic still remains a concern, as they continue to be sidelined. But, unless and until United suffer a major blow, Jose Mourinho’s side are likely to go with the same eleven.
Manchester United formation
Probable starting XI ( 4-2-3-1):David De Gea; Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Daley Blind ; Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic; Juan Mata,Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Marcus Rashford ; Romelu Lukaku.
Players to watch out for:
Stoke City: Peter Crouch
Peter Crouch. (Photo: AP)
After having appeared twice in this season’s Premier League, Crouch has scored just one goal. But, that goal came in an important time. When Stoke were trailling 0-1 to West Brom at the Hawthorns, it was Crouch who levelled the scoring for the Potters in the 77th minute, and helped them earn a point. He could be a key player if Stoke City are to beat Jose Mourinho’s men on Saturday.
Manchester United: Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford. (Photo: AFP)
Marcus Rashford could be a surprise package in Manchester United’s line-up when they play at Stoke this weekend. Coming in as a sub in their last league game against Leicester City at Olt Trafford, the England international opened the scoring for the Manchester side after 70 minutes of play. The score was then doubled by another substitute Marouane Fellaini in the 82nd minuted, who sealed a 2-0 win over the Foxes.
DC predicts:
While Manchester United look in search of their fourth win in the league, the winning run could be dented by at least a 1-1 draw against Stoke City at the Bet365 stadium. In fact, their last two league meetings have ended in 1-1 draws, so this could yet be another draw ending in the same scoreline.
