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Saturday, 13 April 2013

Ben's Match Preview- Stoke City vs.Manchester United

Sunday’s trip to the Britannia will hopefully give Sir Alex Ferguson’s side the chance to bounce back from the debacle that was the derby day defeat on Monday night.

Despite the United boss’s conclusion that the Reds were somewhat unlucky against City, there’ll be no doubt in Fergie’s mind that the performances have dropped somewhat since the Champions League exit.

A win against Tony Pulis’s men would all but end any lingering title chances Manchester City still harbour and also edge United closer to that record points total. Injury wise the Reds are in pretty good shape, with only Ashley Young and Paul Scholes definite none starters for Sunday. The main question is will Sir Alex persist with Robin Van Persie up front, considering the lack of goals the Dutchman has of late? I think it may just be the perfect time to give RVP a well earned rest, here’s how I see the Reds lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. 

I understand, given what happened last season, that there might be a sense of additional caution among United supporters in April 2013, but in some quarters it’s got the air of an irrational mini-epidemic of panic and I don’t think it’s helpful.  I was as disappointed about the city defeat as anyone, but ultimately we’d got ourselves in such a great position before that game that any such disappointment could be shrugged off as no more than a temporary glitch in the glorious drive towards a 20th championship.

DDG, Rafael, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick, Phil Jones, Nani, Shinji Kagawa, Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney.

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