01 February 2014

STOKE vs MANCHESTER UNITED: Team News, Match Preview & Head To Head

TEAM NEWS

Stoke are without midfielder Steven Nzonzi, who serves a one-game ban following his red card at Sunderland.

Peter Odemwingie, who joined from Cardiff City on Tuesday, may make his home debut.

Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney made his return from a groin injury in midweek and could start his first game since New Year's Day.

Nemanja Vidic is still banned, Rio Ferdinand remains doubtful and Michael Carrick is out with an ankle injury.


MATCH PREVIEW

The arrival of Juan Mata has really given Manchester United a lift, but just as significant for David Moyes is the return to fitness of both Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney.

While Mata made his debut on Tuesday in the 2-0 win over Cardiff, it was van Persie's first appearance since the Champions League game with Shakhtar Donetsk on 10 December and Rooney's first run out since New Year's Day.

During their absence, United lost to both Tottenham and Chelsea in the league and crashed out of both domestic cup competitions.

It took van Persie just six minutes to score against Cardiff on his return and the bad news for Stoke fans is this could be the first time all three start together for United.

The last time I was at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke beat Chelsea 3-2, but they've managed only one more league win in eight since that early December afternoon.

Recent defeats by Crystal Palace and at Sunderland on Wednesday haven't helped and Mark Hughes' team sit just three points above the relegation zone with a tricky month ahead.

The next four games include trips to Southampton and Manchester City and a home game against Arsenal. The other one looks like a must win at home to Swansea, who are currently just two points better off in the table.

Stoke have caused problems for many of the top sides over the past few years following their return to the top flight, but Manchester United haven't been one of them. The Potters have managed just a single point from 11 meetings in the Premier League and they were also beaten 2-0 at home by United only last month in a League Cup quarter-final.

This is also the second of three games in a row in which United come up against teams managed by former staff of theirs. It was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Cardiff on Tuesday, Hughes and Stoke this weekend and then it'll be the turn of Rene Muelensteen and Fulham in a week's time.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Manchester United are unbeaten in their last dozen league games against Stoke, winning all but one of those matches.

The Potters' last league win against the Red Devils was 2-1 at home on Boxing Day 1984.

Stoke beat United 2-1 in a League Cup tie on 22 September 1993, but United won the second leg at Old Trafford 2-0 to progress 3-2 on aggregate.

Stoke City

Stoke have lost five of their last six league games.

The Potters conceded only three goals in their opening seven home league games this term, but have conceded nine times in their last four matches at the Britannia Stadium.

Their last home game was the 5-3 defeat to Liverpool on 12 January. It was the first time Stoke have conceded five goals at home in the top flight since March 1982, when they lost 5-1 to Liverpool.

Manchester United

The Red Devils have won six of their last eight league games, dropping points only in defeats by Tottenham and Chelsea.

Robin van Persie has scored five times in his last six league appearances. The Red Devils are unbeaten in the 28 Premier League matches in which he has scored for them, winning 23 of those games.

Since August 2011, only David Silva (29) has more assists in the Premier League than Juan Mata (28).

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