The 'pride-wounded' Manchester United will travel to the Britiannia Stadium on Boxing Day, looking for nothing except a win. The team morale has hit a new low after last week's home defeat to Norwich City, and Louis Van Gaal's men have a point to prove at Stoke.
For their opponents Stoke City, things are falling in place after a dismal start to the season which saw Tony Pulis getting sacked. However, his successor at the club has been doing tremendous work, which has helped the club to reach eleventh in the Premier League table.
The Red devils have been just a shadow of the former glory, and the team has not won even once in their last six matches across all competitions. Amidst speculation over the uncertainty of his managerial position at the club, LVG walked out of the press conference last week, after criticizing the reporters for stupid rumours.
But history favours Manchester United in this fixture as they have not lost to Stoke in their last 14 meetings. Also, the Manchester team has won 17 of their 18 Boxing Day fixtures, drawing just once.
Mark Hughes has revolutionized Stoke City with his brand of free flowing football, and Stoke are just six points adrift of their opponents who sit at fifth position. Stoke City have recently beaten Manchester City in the League and will hope for the same result against the other team from Manchester.
Predicted Starting Line-ups:
Stoke City: Rutland, Shawcross, Johnson, Pieters, Whelan, Charlie Adam, Arnautovi, Bojan, Shaqiri, Walters
Manchester United: De Gea, Jones, Blind, Smalling, Young, Schneiderlin, Carrick, Mata, Depay, Martial, Rooney
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The Red devils have been just a shadow of the former glory, and the team has not won even once in their last six matches across all competitions. Amidst speculation over the uncertainty of his managerial position at the club, LVG walked out of the press conference last week, after criticizing the reporters for stupid rumours.
But history favours Manchester United in this fixture as they have not lost to Stoke in their last 14 meetings. Also, the Manchester team has won 17 of their 18 Boxing Day fixtures, drawing just once.
Mark Hughes has revolutionized Stoke City with his brand of free flowing football, and Stoke are just six points adrift of their opponents who sit at fifth position. Stoke City have recently beaten Manchester City in the League and will hope for the same result against the other team from Manchester.
Predicted Starting Line-ups:
Stoke City: Rutland, Shawcross, Johnson, Pieters, Whelan, Charlie Adam, Arnautovi, Bojan, Shaqiri, Walters
Manchester United: De Gea, Jones, Blind, Smalling, Young, Schneiderlin, Carrick, Mata, Depay, Martial, Rooney
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