Match Preview


Louis van Gaal has warned Manchester United to
heed lessons from their last encounter with Stoke
City when the sides meet on New Year’s Day.

United are halfway through Van Gaal's debut
season as manager and a nine-match unbeaten
run has helped them rise to third in the Barclays
Premier League table. One of United's recent
victories came against Stoke at Old Trafford at the
beginning of December, Marouane Fellaini and
Juan Mata scoring either side of Steven N'Zonzi's
equaliser. However, Van Gaal's men had to
withstand late pressure from Mark Hughes' side on
that occasion, with goalkeeper David de Gea pulling
off a string of impressive saves.
Van Gaal is confident that United can continue to
adapt to his methods as the Barclays Premier
League welcomes in 2015, but is wary of the
challenge Stoke will pose at the Britannia Stadium.

United have welcomed back the defensive trio of
Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling and Rafael Da Silva
back from injury over the Christmas period. Van
Gaal's options have been further boosted by the
return to training of Ander Herrera and Adnan
Januzaj from an ankle injury and illness
respectively, but they appear unlikely to feature
this week. Angel di Maria (pelvis) and Fellaini
(rib) are also expected to miss out once more, while
Marcos Rojo (thigh) and Daley Blind (knee)
remain absent.
Stoke may have lost to United this month, but they
can take confidence from a 2-1 win in last
season's corresponding fixture in February, their
only Barclays Premier League win over United.
Hughes, who enjoyed two spells as a player at Old
Trafford, has also seen his team beat Manchester
City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur this term
and is sure Stoke can be a threat on New Year's
Day.

Stoke City (from): Begovic, Butland, Sorensen,
Cameron, Huth, Muniesa, Pieters, Shawcross,
Teixeira, Wilson, Adam, Assaidi, Ireland, N’Zonzi,
Palacios, Whelan, Arnautovic, Bojan, Crouch,
Diouf, Walters.

Manchester United (from): Amos, De Gea,
Johnstone, Lindegaard, Blackett, Evans, Jones,
McNair, Rafael, Shaw, Smalling, Vermijl,
Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Herrera, James,
Januzaj, Mata, Valencia, Young, Falcao, W Keane,
Rooney, Van Persie, Wilson.

Match Appointments
Referee: Michael Oliver Assistants: M McDonough, L
Betts Fourth Official: M Atkinson.

I stand for Stoke City.

major466:
I stand for Stoke City.

Me too,i want upset for man utd

Stoke city no dey joke for Britannia stadium because only Chelsea annihilated them at home.

luvola:
Stoke city no dey joke for Britannia stadium because only Chelsea annihilated them at home.

u try talk truth today

3 points in the bag for United, God willing. A happy new year gift to we the fans.

gameboy727:
3 points in the bag for United, God willing. A happy new year gift to we the fans.

yea a happy new year gift to utd fans from stoke

Full time scores:
Stoke 2:2 Man United

AAlozie:
Full time scores:
Stoke 2:2 Man United

yea sumtin lyk this

keandre:


u try talk truth today

y u dey hunt Man u always? u nva still forgive us? since 2008 oh! sha tha champions league final dey pain pass... happy new yr bro

No draw today all I nid is win , cos teams go drop point today...this is the right avenue to get closer to the ultimate spot ......GGMU

Djhack1:
y u dey hunt Man u always? u nva still forgive us? since 2008 oh! sha tha champions league final dey pain pass...

why i de always hunt man u? name one utd fan wey no de hunt chelsea..

Djhack1:
Happy new year bro

same to you sha,i gv stoke una nw yr gift to gv una oo

gameboy727:
3 points in the bag for United, God willing. A happy new year gift to we the fans.

And so shall it be!

What a way to kick start d new year!

According to d guardian papers, united are in for Seamus Coleman from Everton cos lvg sees da Silva as unreliable

United until blood turns Blue!

United XI: De Gea, Young,
Jones, Smalling, Evans, Shaw,
Carrick, Mata, Rooney, van
Persie, Falcao United

subs: Lindegaard,
Blackett, Rafael, Fletcher,
Herrera, Januzaj, Wilson

GGMU LET GO BOYS....

Happy new year to you all

Odunharry:
United XI: De Gea, Young,
Jones, Smalling, Evans, Shaw,
Carrick, Mata, Rooney, van
Persie, Falcao United

subs: Lindegaard,
Blackett, Rafael, Fletcher,
Herrera, Januzaj, Wilson

How I wish lvg wud ditch this his back 3 philosophy!

It opens us up a lot on d flanks n counter attacks ,stressing the ish outa De Gea

We shld win this nonethless , I'm very much sure that front line would leave Sir Alex Ferguson green livered!

Api Birthday also to Sir Alex

HARDDON:


How I wish lvg wud ditch this his back 3 philosophy!

It opens us up a lot on d flanks n counter attacks ,stressing the ish outa De Gea

We shld win this nonethless , I'm very much sure that front line would leave Sir Alex Ferguson green livered!

Api Birthday also to Sir Alex

Hbd Herrerra....i am sure we wont see the back 3,we have got 4 defenders on the Pitch..

Hbd to Andreas Perreira

Api nu year all futball fans!

Api nu year to all United Fans

To friends and foe alike
Friends shall live to enjoy our impacts ,
Haters shall live to admire our acheivements

Top 4 isn't our target no more, we go all d way!

United
My United!

Odunharry:

Hbd Herrerra....i am sure we wont see the back 3,we have got 4 defenders on the Pitch..

Hbd to Andreas Perreira

U knw he can use shaw as left wing back n young do the other


*modified, told u, its 3 centre halves

see them,dem just de one side dey analyse,ma no talk sha

.

HARDDON:


And so shall it be!

What a way to kick start d new year!

According to d guardian papers, united are in for Seamus Coleman from Everton cos lvg sees da Silva as unreliable

United until blood turns Blue!

Da Silva unreliable? That kid is good man.