Stoke City V Manchester United, Kick Off at 5.30, live on ESPN

Blatter

TEAM NEWS;

Stoke striker Kenwyne Jones is out after picking up a hamstring injury in their midweek Carling Cup tie.

Matthew Upson's man-of-the match display against Spurs in that game could see him rewarded with a place in the starting line-up.

Manchester United are hopeful that Rio Ferdinand will be fit to return after three games out with a calf strain. Chris Smalling is also a doubt.

Javier Hernandez should also feature, having overcome the bruised shin he suffered against Chelsea. Danny Welbeck is also in contention for a start, as may Michael Owen be after impressing midweek v Leeds.




That's pretty much how United will probably line up, although I'd expect Evans to start alongside Ferdinand, with Jones/Smalling at right back. Also question marks over whether Fletcher and Hernandez will start.

KittyeeTrix

Stoke 2 United 1........

City win at home and Fluffy is happy:D (please, please,please, fingers crossed and candles lit!!)

Kylo Ren

2 - 0 United. Hernandez and Nani.

Berti Vogts

Will Pulis have the grass long again today?

mike65

Hope De Gea has a tin hat for this one.

markc1184

De Gea to play a stormer. Going to really show his worth and progression today. 2-0 United.

Mikeyt086

United to score more goals than Stoke.

fox007

Be a tough test for De Gea will hopefully keep a clean sheet! We will have to much going forward 2-0 utd cone on utd.....

curry-muff

5-1 United

lordgoat

Rumours that Rooney is out with a tight hamstring...

dahat

Must win game after City and Chelsea winning(assuming they do)

Tight 1-0...........

Blatter

Rooney is out with a hamstring strain. Will be fit for Tuesday.

That's according to Darren Cann who is very reliable.

dahat

Blatter wrote: »

Rooney is out with a hamstring strain. Will be fit for Tuesday.

That's according to Darren Cann who is very reliable.

Berba up top maybe?

Blatter

dahat wrote: »

Berba up top maybe?

He might play in the hole behind Hernandez.

It'll either be that or Welbeck playing a more supportive role with Hernandez.

homerjay2005

i wouldnt be too disappointed with a draw today considering it would be another horrible game out of the way.

lets wait for the team sheet though, lets hope no other surprises.

Al Capwned

Can see berbatov playing behind Chico if the rooney rumour is true!

homerjay2005

manutdreserves man united
United line up. De Gea. Jones, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, nani, Anderson, Fletcher, Young, Berbatov, Hernandez

MagicMarker

Berba to be MOTM.

homerjay2005

Subs. Lindegaard, Owen, Giggs, Park, Welbeck, Fabio, Valencia

strong bench, lots of options there.

dahat

MagicMarker wrote: »

Berba to be MOTM.

Few bob on him to score first me thinks...........

LostBoy101

If Rooney is out then it will tough 'cause he makes the team thick and strong for our passing game but I'm confident that Berba and Chichartio will do the business this evening.

Jax Teller

Damn no Rooney

Fenix

Berba is 11/2 1st goal @ will hill, get on before they get amending odds!

TheBunk1

Gonna be tough without Rooney. That's my fantasy football f**ked too! Hopefully Berba can step up to plate. I thought he did well vs Leeds when he dropped deep. Played some lovely passes.

curry-muff

curry-muff wrote: »

5-1 United

Damn, now that Rooneys out, gona have to revise this:

3-1 United

Nalz

any streams lads? Cant go to the pub dying with a cold at home

Paul Tergat

Reckon we are dropping points today


CMON UNITED!

TheBunk1

Trilla wrote: »

any streams lads? Cant go to the pub dying with a cold at home

Here ya go...

http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/82262/1/watch-stoke-city-vs-manchester-united.html

MagicMarker

Did I just hear Valencia is playing CB instead of Evans!?!?! :eek:

edit: Ah, obviously Val RB and Jones CB.

Nemanja91

Valencia in for Evans so Jones will move to CB I presume.

Paul Tergat

MagicMarker wrote: »

Did I just hear Valencia is playing CB instead of Evans!?!?! :eek:

no the injury to evans means jones will go CB and val RB

markc1184

Jones to CB and Valencia to RB.

Pro. F

Anderson and Fletcher has always been a nice combo in the middle and Berba is still quality. I'm not too worried about Rooney being out for this one.

DDG and Evans might cost us a goal or two though.

Prediction: 3-1 United

SantryRed

De Gea is in for a horrible afternoon. The throw ins from Delap will be very interesting to watch.

eclectichoney

Fcek it about Evans. First Roo, now this, I have a feeling this is a bad omen for today

Val ahead of Fabio - who woulda thunk it a year ago!

Nalz

Paul Tergat wrote: »

no the injury to evans means jones will go CB and val RB

good news imo

TheBunk1

Pro. F wrote: »

Anderson and Fletcher has always been a nice combo in the middle and Berba is still quality. I'm not too worried about Rooney being out for this one.

DDG and Evans might cost us a goal or two though.

Prediction: 3-1 United

Bit harsh? He's not even playing

Insect Overlord

Hopefully United will be able to pass the ball out of defence instead of booting it into touch!

Mitch Connor

homerjay2005 wrote: »

Subs. Lindegaard, Owen, Giggs, Park, Welbeck, Fabio, Valencia

strong bench, lots of options there.

I would have preferred Carrick on the bench instead of Park.

double GG

If Anderson and Fletcher can't dominate against Whelan and Delap we may leave it so!

Jax Teller

Mitch Connor wrote: »

I would have preferred Carrick on the bench instead of Park.

Macheda on there now instead of valencia

markc1184

Hopefully it's nothing too serious with Evans. He's been playing well since the start of the season IMO.

Paul Tergat

Trilla wrote: »

good news imo

yeah maybe, i would trust jones a lot more especially in this type of game and hopefully val and nani continue to link up well.

attack minded from us, nice to see

double GG

Here we go!

Ashley Young will be pivotal today.

Mitch Connor

keysersoze_88 wrote: »

Macheda on there now instead of valencia

just seen that - what the fudge!!?? Very odd choice by Fergie there, unless there are injuries I am not aware of.

Pro. F

TheBunk1 wrote: »

Bit harsh? He's not even playing

Lol
My mistake

Paul Tergat

he was fouled there surely?

Nalz

definite pen

Jax Teller

Should have hit it earlier and prob a peno

DOC09UNAM

Penalty and red card surely.

Royale with Cheese

Shoulda been a pen and a red, not that I'm complaining about it.