Stoke City vs Manchester United. Premier League.
Bet365 StadiumAttendance29,320.
Saturday 9 September 2017 16:26, UK
Manchester United are hoping to maintain their perfect start to the season when they travel to Stoke on Saturday.
Jose Mourinho's side head to Stoke on the back of three straight wins, scoring 10 goals without conceding. But the United boss expects a tough battle at the bet365 Stadium, where United have not won a league match since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
"I would say it's always difficult there," Mourinho said. "Of course sometimes they lose matches, but normally it's not easy for anyone to play against Stoke.
"Probably because in the last years United was not strong enough and in my personal case last season, we didn't win because we were not good enough, we didn't play well enough, but, yes, they are difficult."
Stoke skipper Ryan Shawcross will miss Saturday's home game against former club Manchester United due to a back injury. Latest signing and fellow centre-half Kevin Wimmer could make his debut in the absence of Shawcross and midfielder Darren Fletcher is hoping to shake off a knee injury in time to face his former club.
Mame Diouf (knee) could also return to contention, but winger Maxim Choupo-Moting is doubtful after straining his hamstring while on international duty with Cameroon.
Jose Mourinho will assess those returning from international duty ahead of Manchester United's Premier League trip to Stoke. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo (both knee) remain long-term absentees, while Andreas Pereira has joined Valencia on loan since their last match.
Luke Shaw and Ashley Young have stepped up their return from serious injuries with the Under-23s.
Stoke are unbeaten in their last four home Premier League games against Manchester United (W2 D2) since losing four of their first five between 2008-09 and 2012-13.
Under Ferguson, Manchester United's win percentage in the Premier League against Stoke was 90% (won nine out of 10) - since he left in May 2013, they've won three out of eight; a win ratio of 37.5%.
The Red Devils have scored four goals from substitutes so far this season; more than any other Premier League team (Martial x2, Rashford and Fellaini). In 2016-17, they only scored six goals through subs in 38 games.
Mourinho hasn't been on the winning side in any of his last four clashes against Stoke (D3 L1), with one of those draws in the League Cup in October 2015 which his Chelsea side lost 5-4 on penalties.
Mark Hughes is unbeaten in his last three league meetings with Mourinho (W1 D2 L0) - the only manager to have gone 4+ games in a row unbeaten against the Portuguese boss in the Premier League is Ronald Koeman (five in a row).
Romelu Lukaku has scored 16 goals and assisted two more in his last 18 Premier League appearances.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has provided five assists in his first three Premier League games this season. Only two players have provided six assists in their first four Premier League apps of the season - Thierry Henry in 2004-05 and Cesc Fabregas in 2014-15.
Saido Berahino hasn't scored a Premier League goal since 27th February 2016, with his current drought extending to 1823 minutes (over 30 hours of action).
I haven't really bought into Manchester United so far this season. They won games by an impressive margin, yes, but I don't think they've clicked yet. They scored three goals in three minutes against Swansea, West Ham were comfortable for 25 minutes before throwing the towel in and, as I said before, Leicester had good chances at Old Trafford where a top quality team would have punished them.
United do look a better team than last year. They look strong, they look quick with plenty of pace on the break but I don't think Jose Mourinho will see his side as the finished article. Maybe he will stick himself in goal after his performance in the #Game4Grenfell - just not for penalties.
Joking aside, if they can go to Stoke and win then fair play to them. The bet365 Stadium has always been a hard place to go but I can see United edging it.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
