Manchester United are winless in six league and cup games (D3, L3) – their worst run since 1998
Barclays Premier League
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Venue: Britannia Stadium Date: Saturday, 26 December |
TEAM NEWS
Stoke's Geoff Cameron is still out with a hamstring injury, while Peter Crouch is not fit despite returning to training following a similar injury.
Marc Muniesa and Stephen Ireland are long-term absentees, but Ireland could return in the new year.
Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger serves the final game of a ban.
Matteo Darmian is still recovering from a hamstring injury but is likely to be fit to face Chelsea on 28 December.
MOTD COMMENTATOR’S NOTES
Alistair Mann: "Louis van Gaal's extraordinary press conference on Wednesday would suggest he feels reports of his imminent departure are baseless.
"Their recent struggles were always going to be followed by speculation about his future.
"In the analysis regarding their form, it has not just been results but the manner of them which has been examined.
"Stoke boss Mark Hughes referred to a 'United way' when asked about the pressures at his former club, where the fans demand entertaining football.
"It's no coincidence that Hughes has transformed Stoke's methods. While Hughes will be keen for Stoke to replicate their recent win over Manchester City, Van Gaal won't want to lie down either. It all points to a fascinating fixture."
Read Alistair Mann's Christmas poem about Louis van Gaal's current troubles here.
Twitter: @alistairmann01
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Stoke City manager Mark Hughes: "I have been asked whether this is a good time to play them [Manchester United] but I am always wary of that because these type of clubs more often than not bounce back emphatically.
"The players there are representing a global brand and the players have a responsibility to produce the goods more often than not, so they will be desperate to get back on track at the weekend."
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "We are not in a good position but four weeks ago we were first in the Premier League, and in four weeks' time we can be back in that position again.
"I only say now I am focused on Stoke City. I help my players."
LAWRO’S PREDICTION
Stoke are one of the most difficult teams to predict. That's because the Potters have earned the same number of away wins in the Premier League as they have had home victories – three.
Louis van Gaal was brought in to strengthen at the back, and at the moment they look anything but strong defensively. Stoke will steam into them.
Lawro's full predictions v SAM the super-computer
- Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in our Predictor game.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Stoke's only win in the last 15 league meetings against Manchester United came in 2014 (D2, L12).
- However, the Potters are unbeaten in their two home games against the Red Devils since Sir Alex Ferguson left – winning 2-1 in February 2014 and drawing 1-1 on 1 January 2015.
Stoke City
- The Potters have lost four Premier League home games this season – only West Brom and Aston Villa, with five and six defeats respectively, have worse records.
- They have kept just two clean sheets in their last nine home league games, although they have only conceded 10 goals during that run.
- Stoke had 26 shots against Crystal Palace, but scored only one goal – from a Bojan penalty.
- Their tally of 14 goals scored makes them the Premier League's joint-lowest scorers, along with Aston Villa.
Manchester United
- The Red Devils are winless in six league and cup games (D3, L3) – their worst run since 1998.
- If they don't claim a victory on Saturday, it will be their longest winless run in all competitions since an eight-match streak between December 1989 and January 1990.
- United could lose three successive league games for the first time since April and May 2015.
- The Red Devils have lost just one of the 21 Premier League games they have played on Boxing Day (W18, D2).