Man United v Stoke City: Confirmed lineups – Mourinho Makes Changes
Manchester United have the chance to close the gap with Premier League leaders Manchester City to 12 points with a victory over Stoke City at Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho will know a win tonight can cut the point gap between his side and City who suffered their first defeat of the season against Liverpool on Sunday.
Mourinho has made a number of changes to the side that that beat Everton 2-0 last Monday.
Rojo, Lindelof, Herrera have been dropped while Valencia, Smalling and Lukaku have been brought in.
See More: Man United Star ‘Has A Price’ – Mourinho Refuses To Rule Out Exit As Arsenal & Besiktas Step Up Transfer Efforts
Several United players have been linked with a move to the Turkish Super Lig in recent weeks in particular Besiktas.
Black Eagles target Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ruled out with a knee injury and Fellaini – also linked with the Black Eagles – will not start.
According to the Fanatik newspaper, Besiktas have held preliminary talks with Ibra’s agent Mina Riola.
Meanwhile, the Independent have reported that Fellaini could be on his way out of United in the near future after United failed to meet his wage demands.
The Belgium internationals contract with United expires at the end of the season.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan made the provisional squad despite head coach Jose Mourinho refusing to rule out an Old Trafford exit, however, he has not made the match day team.
Turkish-Football reported that Besiktas are also interested in the Armenia international.
The Daily Mail meanwhile claim that Arsene Wenger has demanded Mkhitaryan will have to join Arsenal if United want Alexis Sanchez in January.
Stoke meanwhile sacked Mark Huges last week and have appointed Eddie Niedzwiecki as caretaker manager.
Niedzwiecki has made 7 changes to the team that faces United. Bauer, Martins Indi, Tymon, Fletcher, Shaqiri, Choupo-Moting and Crouch all make the starting line-up.
Man United v Stoke City – Confirmed lineups
Man United starting XI: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Shaw, Matic, Pogba, Mata, Lingard, Martial, Lukaku
Subs: Pereira, Lindelof, Rojo, Fellaini, Herrera, McTominay, Rashford
Stoke City starting XI: Butland, Bauer, Zouma, Indi, Tymon, Fletcher, Allen, Shaqiri, Ireland, Moting, Crouch
Subs: Grant, Wimmer, Afellay, Adam, Diouf, Ramadan, Edwards
