Date: Saturday, October 26 Venue: Old Trafford Kick-Off: 15:00 Can Manchester United pick up a much-needed win against Stoke on Saturday and get their Premier League campaign back on track?
Team News
Manchester United could hand a return to Robin van Persie after the Dutch forward sat out the midweek Champions League win over Real Sociedad. Adnan Januzaj may also reclaim his place, but Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck are all doubts. Stoke boss Mark Hughes will travel to his former side with virtually a fully-fit squad to select from. Centre-back Geoff Cameron is however struggling with a calf complaint. (manutd.com)
Key Stats
Manchester United have won all five of their previous Premier League home games against Stoke City. Stoke have lost more Premier League games against Man Utd than versus any other side (9). Uniteds 11 point tally is their worst return from a top-flight season since 1989-90 (eight points). Stoke have failed to score in three successive Premier League games they have never failed to score in four in a row. (Eurosport)
Likely Line-Ups
Man Utd De Gea, Rafael, Jones, Evans, Evra, Nani, Fellaini, Carrick, Young, van Persie, Rooney Stoke City Begovic, Pieters, Huth, Shawcross, Wilson, Assaidi, Ireland, NZonzi, Adam, Arnautovic, Walters
Match Preview
Speaking ahead of his return to Old Trafford this weekend, former Red Devil Mark Hughes observed that Manchester United are looking a little vulnerable lately. And he's not wrong - United have made their worst start to a league season since 1989 - the season after Hughes made his return as a player for the club - and look well off the pace in the title race. Though the defending English champions returned to winning ways against Real Sociedad midweek, it was anything but a convincing performance and David Moyes's side had to first escape a few hairy moments. Against Stoke, you would expect another win. The Reds have won all five of their previous Premier League home games against Saturday's opponents. The Potters also haven't scored in three consecutive games, which is good news for United's defenders, who have kept a poorer defensive record than any side currently in the top 7 of the table. However, given West Brom and Southampton have come to Old Trafford in recent weeks and got results, nothing is assured anymore during these tumultuous times for Moyes's men. Prediction: 1-0
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
