Build up to the match
All eyes will be on Manchester United once this fixture kicks off come Saturday afternoon. Fans and pundits alike will definitely be keen to see if the Red Devils can continue their lethal streak that has had their followers dreaming of the championship come the end of the season. Stoke City, dogged and determined as they always are, will prove to be difficult test for Jose Mourinho’s charges.
Match Information
Kickoff: Saturday, 9 September 2017, 17:30PM England time
Venue: Britannia Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent
Team News
Stoke City have a long list of injuries to deal with that is sure to test their squad’s depth. Aggressive centre-back and club captain Ryan Shawcross is currently out with a back injury, while their sharpshooter Eric Choupo-Moting is down with a hamstring injury. Likewise, Stephen Ireland, Ibrahim Afellay, Mame Biram Diouf, and Darren Fletcher are also unavailable for selection due to injuries.
Manchester United have a sizeable injury list as well, although all are long-tem injuries that the club have gone through since the start of the season. Full-backs Luke Shaw and Ashley Young, centre-back Marcos Rojo, and charismatic centre-forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, are all still out with long-term injuries.
Form
Stoke
D-W-L-W-L
The Potters haven’t exactly enjoyed a good run of form as of late, but will definitely be bolstered by their gritty but impressive 1-0 win against Arsenal three weeks ago. And while they did not have a similar luck during the draw against West Brom in their last league game, Stoke always raise their game against the top sides and will definitely be eager to do the same in this game against the Red Devils.
Manchester United
W-W-W-W-D
Manchester United have been impressive in their last three Premier League games, notching two 4-0 wins against West Ham and Swansea, and did what was necessary and finished off the game 2-0 against Leicester two weeks ago. It appears Jose Mourinho’s men are eager to redeem themselves after their fall from grace following the departure of the great sir Alex Ferguson, and will be sure to show that ruthless aggression once again in this game.
Trivia and Stats
Stoke have a less than stellar record at home, winning only three of their last 14 games in the PL.
Manchester United are undefeated in 30 of their last 32 Premier League games.
Manchester United have kept a clean sheet in their last 5 games.
The two sides have already drawn three times in their last five games against each other in the league.
Stoke boss Mark Hughes is the only manager to win more than two league home matches against Jose Mourinho.
Match Prediction
Manchester United have always found it difficult to face Stoke, even during the days of Sir Alex. However, there is something in the current Reds side that can definitely bring the game to the Potters. If their first three games are anything to go by, then this match has all the markings of a United win written all over it.
Stoke 0-2 Manchester United