Match Day Preview: Stoke vs Man United
- Sep 9, 2017
- 3 min read
The Red Devils visit Stoke City and the Bet365 stadium for the 7.30 pm match this evening hoping to win the first match in that field since Sir Alex left and retain their place at the top of the League.
With no fresh injury worries, the team needs to stretch the league win with these early wins to ensure a more comfortable run in the Championship. Mourinho feels that the team is now ready to face Stoke and will be putting up an aggressive game to counter Stoke’s infamous styles of play, but it will not be an easy opponent.
“I would say it’s always difficult there. Of course, sometimes, they lose matches but normally it’s not easy for anyone to play against Stoke. [It’s] 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, didn’t play well enough.
“But they are different, they are aggressive, they defend with a lot of people, they are dangerous on counter attack, dangerous at set-pieces. It’s a stadium that has a lot of pressure, too. I think it’s going to be difficult again.”
Last time we visited Stoke, the game ended at 1-1 draw with Wayne Rooney striking the goal in added time that put him at the top of Manchester United’s all-time goal scorers, but the damage had been done in with an Own Goal.
Going into the match, Stoke City have had an erratic start to the season where they have beaten Arsenal but lost to Everton. They sit on 11th place. Part of this is due to their new style of play where they are now trying to adopt to a new philosophy of keeping the ball down. *The last time I head the the word philosophy, I had ulcers and a twitchy ass for two years. However, this is a team in transition and therefore, this is the best time to face them.
Going into the game, Manchester United have a 100% win record for the season, and key players are returning after a great international outing with Rashford and Lukaku having scored goals while Daley Blind made assists that were noteworthy.
The boss is confident his players can live up to the challenge: saying they are ready to win and break the Stoke City jinx.
“Hopefully we can be better than in previous seasons so hopefully we can be better. When a team plays well it’s easier for the players to play well and perform; the team is playing well, I think it’s normal that so many players you can analyse their August month and say they were really good.”
My predictions for the game is Stoke 0-3 Manchester United.
I think the team can deliver this. I am loving the defensive due of Jones and Bailly and the tight midfield Matic has created. We have, now, the physical presence and the speed to counter any Stoke’s move. Like I noted, this is also a team in transition and even if they bring a ground game, we can counter that two with the counter attacks of our own, a superior game and confidence.
I expect Rashford to start in today’s game, if for no other reason as to tire Stoke out before Martial swoops in. I think Mou will leave the team relatively unchanged, but let’s like he said… “Today is the first time I see them all together, today is just to make the decision and the selection and travel to Stoke but hopefully we can keep a good level of play.”
Playing Stoke at their field is always a challenge for any team. Right now, we have the physical and mental dynamics to beat them; and I think Mourinho is up to the challenge of tactically calling them on their game.
What are your predictions for the game?
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