Manchester United will be looking to bounce back after Monday's defeat to neighbours City by overcoming a tough test at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke City have only lost three games at home this season but currently ly in 15th place in the Premier League and are right in the relegation mixer, mainly due to their poor away form with one away win all season. The Potters are just three points above the relegation zone going into today's game. After defeat in the FA Cup against Chelsea and then the home loss to Manchester City on Monday night ending Uniteds 18-game unbeaten league run, Sir Alex Ferguson would of had stern words with this team ahead of this Sunday's clash with the Potters but the Reds will want to rediscover that winning form and hope Robin Van Persie can end his goal draught which has seen him stuck on 19 goals so far this season.
Team News
Sir Alex could see the return of Captain Nemanja Vidic and fellow defenders Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling, plus the long awaited return of 38 year old Paul Scholes could also be a possibility. Ashley Young wont play a part on Sunday after he limped out of Monday nights game, although the injury is not suspected to be a serious one. For Stoke, they will leave it late to test the fitness of winger Matthew Etherington who is suffering from a back problem. Defender Marc Wilson may feature as he attempts to recover from back/hamstring injury. Midfielder Glen Whelan has trained this week and could return to the squad after his own back problem.
Past Meetings
When the two sides last met in the Premier League in October Wayne Rooney managed to redeemed himself after his first half own goal by scoring twice with Van Persie and Welbeck also getting on the score sheet as the Reds went on to record a 4-2 victory at Old Trafford. This fixture will be far from a classic, as previous games between these two at the Britannia have shown theyve usually been scrappy affairs with United content to take home any sort of victory. The Premier League Champions elect will look for normal service to be resumed and winning on Sunday will mean they require only seven more points to clinch the title while Stoke will be looking to the heavens for a United slip up because out of nine meetings in the Premier league between these two sides United have won eight and drawn one. A huge ask for the Potters. source -
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