Manchester United hang on to their place in the Premier League’s top four with a 2-1 win against Stoke City at Old Trafford.
Stoke sit in 12th on the ladder, and need to back up this fixture with another tough match against Arsenal on the weekend.
FINAL SCORE:
Manchester United 2
Stoke City 1
Manchester United will look for their resurgence in form to continue when Stoke City visit the Theatre of Dreams. Join The Roar from 6:45am (AEDT) for live commentary from this English Premier League game.
Ten games into the new season, and Manchester United’s campaign was already confounded to the doom and gloom of the previous year: absent from the echelon of European elitism.
Louis van Gaal’s team had opened their season with their worst points haul since 1986/87, with whispers of the Dutchman heading for a swift exit after talk of him being the saviour at Old Trafford.
Three games and three wins later, as well as a style resonating the United of old, and the foundations of a solid yet unspectacular season. Fourth place after their catastrophic opening is quite an achievement. Champions League football next season is a must.
Stoke, meanwhile, currently reside in 12th place, four points clear of Queens Park Rangers and the dreaded relegation zone. The bottom three may not seem like an immediate danger for Mark Hughes and his side, but a surprise home defeat to Burnley followed by a loss at Liverpool has left the next four games – which include Arsenal and Chelsea as well as United – more significant than they would have liked.
The Potters have picked up just four points from their last five games, with goals far from being a regularity.
Some stats do favour the visitors though, with all four of their Premier League victories to date coming against teams currently in the top nine, whilst also claiming three points over the Red Devils last season. Man United have won the last nine encounters at Old Trafford however.
Angel di Maria is the latest addition to the Old Trafford treatment table, hobbling off during Saturday’s victory over Hull City, ruling him out of what would have been his tenth game for the Manchester club. Skipper Wayne Rooney will wait on a fitness test as to whether he will play a part in the clash.
Stoke have injury worries of their own, with Glenn Whelan out with a calf strain and Steve Sidwell missing the whole of the Christmas and New Year period with knee ligament damage – two lusty blows to Mark Hughes’ midfield. Phil Bardsley is set to return though.
Can Stoke come away with the points, or are the devils too red-hot to handle? Join The Roar for live updates from 6:45am, and don’t forget to have your say in the comments.
AZ_RBB
Guest
United should have been 2 or 3 goals ahead by the 80th minute. Could have all gone wrong towards the end. But a good 3 points to get and maintains our top 4 spot. Next two games are Southampton and Liverpool. A 'six pointer' and a chance at revenge.
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
Well I hope you've all calmed down after that one! A frantic finale, and somehow Man United have come away with a vital three points and a fourth win on the bounce. Until the last few minutes, the game was hardly full of excitement, with mistakes aplenty and quality coming at a premium. Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
And all of a sudden, that is full time after a frenetic last five minutes including added time. Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
88' - What a save! De Gea keeps United ahead. Bojan's freekick is flicked on to Diouf who should score, but meets an absolute worldie of a save from the United keeper. Then he makes another fantastic save from Arnautovic, and Diouf has another chance! Does the ball cross the line? The referee looks at his watch, but play continues! Incredible. Breathless. How are Stoke not level? Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
88 - Januzaj replaces Mata Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
84' - Stoke not doing their best to get this equaliser - hardly forming a single chance in pursuit of a point. Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
77' - Arnautovic on for Ireland Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
75' - Radamel Falcao comes on for Wilson Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
74' - Peter Crouch has come on for Assaidi Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
70' Booking for Stephen Ireland for a cynical foul on an advancing James Wilson. Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
68' - James Wilson has been quiet so far tonight, but he had a chance this time, with van Persie screaming for it and not being gifted an easy chance. Wilson instead curls it wide. Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
65' - Stoke continuing to give their all, with Bojan in particular proving a menace with and without the ball. Still, no chances yet for that elusive equaliser. Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
60' - I reckon that's Mata's goal, with his freekick curling straight past Begovic. Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
60' - Who's scored that one?! Juan Mata whips in a freekick, and it looks like it goes all the way in, but has Rojo got a flick on the way through? One for the Dubious Goals committee, that. Manchester United 2-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
60" - GOAL: MANCHESTER UNITED 2-1 STOKE CITY
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
54' - A bit more energy (thankfully!) mostly from United, with the fans finding their voice. A pair of free-kicks causes little danger however. Manchester United 1-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
50' - Quiet start to this second half, matching the pattern for the first period, unfortunately. Manchester United 1-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
Welcome back. No changes for either side as Jon Moss blows his whistle for the second half. Manchester United 1-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
United were able to get the vital first breakthrough, and would have surely expected to hold onto it. Alas, it wasn't to be, and a steady Stoke have gotten back on terms in a half of few chances. Manchester United 1-1 Stoke City
Ross Lawson
Roar Guru
HALF-TIME: Manchester United 1-1 Stoke City