Manchester United vs Stoke City. Premier League.
Old TraffordAttendance75,251.
Sunday 2 October 2016 12:04, UK
Wayne Rooney is pushing for a return to Manchester United's starting line-up against Stoke at Old Trafford in the Premier League, on Sunday.
Jose Mourinho hailed the England international's impact as a substitute during United's 1-0 over Zorya Luhansk in the Europa League on Thursday.
Luke Shaw became ill after recovering from a slight groin tear so will need assessing, while attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is building up fitness after a thigh problem, but both are in contention to feature against The Potters.
Meanwhile, Stoke are yet to win a league game this season, and will likely be without Joe Allen on Sunday, who Mark Hughes described as their "shining light" this campaign.
The midfielder has not trained after suffering a tightness in his hamstrings following last weekend's draw with West Brom.
Phil Jones is the only definite absentee for Manchester United with a knee injury, while Rooney and Anthony Martial are among those pushing for starts.
Jon Walters (ankle) could return for Stoke but goalkeeper Jack Butland is set for at least another month on the sidelines following surgery.
Manchester United have won all eight previous Premier League matches against Stoke at Old Trafford; against no other side have they played more games with a 100 per cent record.
Rooney has scored four and assisted two more in his last three Premier League appearances against Stoke at Old Trafford.
Stoke's last clean sheet at Old Trafford coincided with their last win there in any competition - they won 1-0 in April 1976 in the league.
Juan Mata has been involved in 82 goals in the Premier League since moving to England ahead of the 2011/12 season (scored 41, assisted 41), a joint-high for a midfield player (level with David Silva).
United have won five of the last seven Premier League games that Rooney hasn't started.
Jose Mourinho has lost three of his last four matches in the Premier League in October.
Four of the last six Premier League teams to take two points from their opening six games (as Stoke have) have been relegated.
Manchester United's most recent title (2012-13) saw them start the season with four wins and two defeats (as they have this season).
I can't see anything but a Man Utd win. Stoke are all over the place from set plays, that used to be a strength for them and now they are letting in goals from set plays against Crystal Palace and West Brom.
Man Utd scored three goals against Leicester from set plays, so that tells you everything. They had to put in a performance against Leicester and they did. They were under pressure and they played well.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 13/2)
