Manchester Utd – Stoke City preview

Premier League preview: Manchester United without Angel di Maria against Stoke

Last Updated: 02/12/14 2:38pm

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Di Maria: Will miss the game against Stoke

Di Maria: Will miss the game against Stoke

Manchester United welcome Stoke to Old Trafford as they look to grab their fourth consecutive win and strengthen their place in the top four.

Louis van Gaal's men will be full of confidence after a comprehensive 3-0 win over Hull City on Saturday, although their joy would have been dampened by a suspected hamstring injury to big-money signing Angel di Maria.

Stoke were unlucky against Liverpool and only lost to a Glen Johnson header, five minutes from full-time.

After a good start to the season, Mark Hughes' side have lost three of their last six league games with their last win coming against Tottenham on November 9.

Crouch: Scored at Old Trafford last season

There is double motivation for Hughes as he returns to the club where he made his name and won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.

Team News

Di Maria will definitely miss the game while his injury is assessed, but Wayne Rooney should be fine after colliding with the advertising hoardings towards the end of the game. Radamel Falcao could start after coming off the bench against Hull.

Hughes returns to his former club with injuries beginning to bite as midfielders Steve Sidwell and Glenn Whelan are the latest to join the casualty list.

Sidwell is sidelined for up to six weeks with a grade two tear of a knee ligament, while Whelan could miss the next two matches with a calf injury.

Opta Facts

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has expressed his dismay at the Christmas fixture list in the Premier League.

Stoke have lost their last 11 away games against Manchester United in all competitions.

Robin van Persie has scored 10 goals in nine Premier League appearances against Stoke.

Mark Hughes played 467 times for Manchester United in all competitions – the all-time 14th highest appearance maker for the club.

Manchester United have the opportunity to win four consecutive Premier League games for only the second time since the departure of David Moyes (after four wins in Dec 2013).

Peter Crouch’s goal at Old Trafford last season was his first in nine Premier League games at the venue.

Stoke manager Mark Hughes says he got some absentees for Tuesday's trip to Manchester United.

Merson's prediction

"I thought Stoke were unlucky at Liverpool - they looked solid but conceded that late goal which cost them the game. Manchester United, though, were really good on Saturday. They completely ripped Hull to shreds at Old Trafford, and I reckon they’ll carry that form on with another easy win in this one."

Betting

There are some interesting options with our partners Sky Bet. You can get Robin van Persie as first goalscorer at 10/3 or if you think Peter Crouch will score first at Old Trafford, he is an attractive 10/1. Visit www.skybet.com for all the latest prices and offers on the game.




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