The Red Devils ran riot over current EPL champions Leicester City at Old Trafford last Saturday to return to winning ways after back-to-back league losses to Manchester City and Watford. With a struggling Stoke City side with no wins and 2 draws visiting this weekend, putting them to the sword is almost inevitable.
And here is how Mourinho could line up his men as he hopes to close the 6-point gap between his side and league leaders Manchester City.
GK – David De gea
Having kept 2 clean sheets thus far in the league, the Spaniard can make it 3 against a misfiring Stoke side that have managed to score just 4 goals. However, It wouldn’t come easy given the attacking threats of the likes of Bony, Bojan and Arnautovic might pose.
LB- Luke Shaw
After missing the Leicester game to a groin injury, the former Southampton player has received the medical all-clear and could return to make the starting lineup against the visitors.
CB – Eric Bailly
The strong defender will have the task of pocketing his fellow Ivorian international Wilfried Bony, an equally strong player, and that will once again put his quality to another stiff test.
CB – Chris Smalling
The England international started the season on the bench, but it now seems he has regained his starting spot as Jose prefers him to Blind alongside Bailly in the heart of the defence. He would hope to once again impress and justify his inclusion during the clash.
RB – Antonio Valencia
The natural right winger continues to excel as a makeshift full-back and has gotten better defensively this season. Darmian hasn’t come close in quality, and would once again watch from the bench as the Ecuadorian gets the nod yet again.
CM – Paul Pogba
Questions continue to be asked as to what exact midfield position the world’s most expensive player will perfectly fit in at United. Playing in a midfield of 2 alongside Fellaini hasn’t yielded any positive results, but he had his best performance in a United shirt against Leicester City lining up beside Ander Herrera. The two could be featured once again.
CM – Ander Herrera
His height will definitely be a concern for Mourinho considering the average height of the Stoke City midfield. However, the Spain international has proven to be better than his Belgian counterpart on more than one occasion.
AML – Marcus Rashford
The rise of the youngster has continued this season and having notched 3 league goals, he’s slowly laying claim to a permanent starting berth. He put up great displays in his last 2 games for the side, and his sharpness in attack and willingness to contribute defensively has given the coach selection headaches. He’s likely to get his 3rd EPL start of the season against the Potters.
AMC – Juan Mata
Despite the uncertainty that hung over the future of the Spaniard upon Mourinho’s arrival, he has surprisingly become one of the side’s best players this season. And he might have displaced Rooney in the pecking order. His creative play in attack has yielded results, and he could be rewarded with another start come Sunday.
AMR – Henrikh Mkhitaryan
The Armenian has only started one league game this season and hasn’t played since the loss to Manchester City. Now declared fit, he is likely to gain his 2nd inclusion in the starting XI against Mark Hughes men.
CF – Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan might have just found his mojo with his Europa League winning goal on Thursday having went on a run of 3 games without a goal. The team’s first choice striker could be Stoke City’s nemesis in the clash.
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