Stoke vs Manchester United - as it happened: Potters hold Jose Mourinho's men to 2-2 draw
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Manchester United's start has been as close to perfect as even the ficklest Red Devils fan could wish for. Three wins from three; ten goals scored; none conceded. Most impressively of all, Jose Mourinho has seemed jovial of late. The rest of the Premier League has been sent an ominous warning.
Previously struggling players seem to have found themselves, too. Phil Jones, so recently a forgotten man at United, has established himself in central defence alongside Eric Bailly. Paul Pogba, uncertain of his precise role in midfield last term, has been liberated by the arrival of Nemanja Matic. Even Anthony Martial has found his scoring touch after a peripheral season in 2016/17.
Stoke’s start, meanwhile, has been of the solid-yet-unspectacular variety. Their win against Arsenal was tight but fortitudinous, with new loan signing Jese Rodriguez scoring the winner on his Potters debut. They narrowly lost to Everton, and eked out a draw against former boss Tony Pulis’s West Brom.
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Here's everything you need to know about the Premier League clash.
What time does it start?
Stoke vs Manchester United kicks off at 17:30 on Saturday 9th September.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BT Sport from 17:00. Highlights will be shown at 22:30 on BBC One.
It’s a big game for…
England’s youngest-ever goalkeeper will need to play to his absolute maximum if Stoke are to gain anything from this one.
Best stat…
13: After their promotion to the Premier League in 2008, it took Stoke thirteen matches – spread over six years – to beat Manchester United.
Remember when…
Wayne Rooney became Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer with this superb free-kick.
Player to watch…
Marcus Rashford: The youngster has not always featured heavily under Mourinho, but the Portuguese has put greater faith in Rashford this term.
His current form is excellent, typified by a dazzling winner for England on Monday night.
Past three meetings…
Stoke 1 (Mata (o.g.)) Manchester United 1 (Rooney), Premier League, January 2017
Manchester United 1 (Martial) Stoke 1 (Allen), Premier League, October 2016
Manchester United 3 (Lingard, Martial, Rooney) Stoke 0, Premier League, March 2016
Form guide…
Stoke: LWLWWD
Manchester United: WWLWWW
Odds…
Stoke to win: 13/2
Manchester United to win: 17/35
Draw: 33/10
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
78' - Xherdan Shaqiri almost catches David de Gea out with a shot direct from a corner but his whipped delivery hits the side netting.
81' - Anthony Martial finds Romelu Lukaku with a great low ball from the right-hand side but the Belgian's effort goes over the crossbar from around 10 yards out.
What a chance that was for Manchester United to take the lead.
84' - A Juan Mata corner is cleared as far as Matteo Darmian, whose first-time, long-range effort predictably lands in row Z.
89' - Jesse Lingard attempts to play Juan Mata in with a low cross but Jack Butland has other ideas and smothers the ball. United won't have many more opportunities to win this match.
90+2' - Jack Butland produces a remarkable stop to prevent United from taking the lead courtesy of a Kurt Zouma own goal.
90+4' - Paul Pogba's late, late attempt goes over the crossbar and that might just be that for United today.
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