Manchester United and its embattled manager, Louis Van Gaal will take on Stoke City on Boxing Day at the Britannia Stadium in Stoke. Just how bad will things get for the red devils or indeed, Van Gaal?
Very Bad! If Man United loses or even draws. A draw will be as bad because you cannot have a-six-match run on the side of defeat and compensate with a draw – so, Man United must win – because a win will enhance Van Gaal’s shaky position.
Situation report:
According to reports, Man United will be without Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian and Jesse Lingard through injuries, while Bastian Schweinsteiger will serve the last of his three-match ban. Morgan Schneiderlin could be involved if he recovers from his recent injury woes in time to pass a late fitness test.
Photo: One of Manchester United’s formations | Graph by football-formation.com
Predicted lineup
Manchester United predicted lineup against Stoke City is: (4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Daley Blind, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Ashley Young; Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick; Memphis Depay, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata; Anthony Martial.
6-6-5, 11th Premier League
|
8-4-5, 5th Premier League
|
Despite the injury list, Van Gaal must come back from Stoke City with a win or Man United fans will be unhappy with him and the lurking British press will have more woes to write about him.
I just hope he appears at the post-match pep-talk show to tell us how he and the red team triumphed over Stoke City.
Up Man U!
Madjack United 