Manchester United will be looking to extend the only remaining 100 per cent record in the Premier League when they travel to Stoke City on Saturday.
Kick-off: September 9, 17:30 BST; Venue: Bet365 Stadium; Referee: Neil Swarbrick; Channel: BT Sport 1
From the opening three games of the Premier League season, United have recorded nine points, 10 goals scored and zero conceded.
Stoke, on the other hand, have already shocked one of the bigger clubs this season when loanee Jese scored on his debut to take three points from Arsenal in August. The Gunners have struggled this season but take nothing away from the Potters. They will be looking to cause another upset this weekend.
Mark Hughes has an impressive record since Jose Mourinho was appointed United manager — two 1-1 draws last season — so he will be hoping his players can deliver such a result again or better it by taking all three points.
Team News
New signing Kevin Wimmer could make his Stoke debut after completing a £18 million move from Tottenham Hotspur. The Austria international signed a five-year deal after rejected an offer to move to West Brom, who wanted to use him as a left-back.
Former United players Darren Fletcher and Mame Biram Diouf are both doubtful with knee injuries, and summer signing Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is expected to miss the game with a hamstring problem.
Mourinho has no fresh injury concerns, so it is unlikely that he will make many changes to his squad. Spectators will be keen to see whether the United manager starts Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford, with the latter putting in a man of the match display mid-week against Slovakia and scoring the winner for England in a 2-1 win.
View From A Fan - Anthony Bunn, Editor of Stoke City fanzine Duck Magazine
Where do you see Stoke City in May?
On the A50/A500 intersection, off junction 15 of the M6. Sorry, couldn't help myself!
It's a difficult one - if you'd have asked me that two months ago I would have said that this season would be a real struggle. And whilst it still may be, the players we have brought in and the results so far have given us some optimism that we will improve on what was a pretty beige season last year.
Last season wasn't brilliant performance-wise, and we were a game or two from being dragged into a real dogfight at the bottom of the table. We didn't score many goals, and benefitted from there being some dreadful teams in the league. But we've strengthened the defence considerably and are playing three at the back, whilst we've brought in a couple of forwards who could make a real difference to our attacking play. But it's Darren Fletcher who could be our key signing: outstanding in our first three games, he's the experienced been-there-done-it player we needed in the middle of the park.
Personally, I want us to stay up and win a cup. If we won a cup I’d take 4th bottom now! It doesn't say 'Finished 10th' on your honours list, and I'll be selfish here: I want to die a happy man, seeing Stoke win a major cup at Wembley.
Why do you think Bojan was sent on loan? We had it on good authority that two Premier League clubs considered launching bids for the forward.
He's very talented, so it doesn't surprise me. No-one will be happier than me if Bojan comes back from Alaves and plays for Stoke City again. I've interviewed hi, he's a great bloke, and someone you want to get back to the form he showed three years ago when he was ripping Premier League teams apart. He's been on the periphery of our team since returning from his ACL in January 2015, and needs a run of games somewhere.
What sort of relationship has Mark Hughes got with the fans?
The manager took over from Tony Pulis, changed the way we played and our mindset and enjoyed three consecutive 9th place finishes and a cup semi final. All seemed great. But last year was very beige, a nothing season really, and we went from being a direct team under his predecessor to being a team that over-passed it and didn't really get anywhere or make chances.
I feel that Hughes has credit in the bank with most fans, and has totally changed the look and shape of the team this summer. A bold move, but one I doff my cap to. Football should be about hope, no matter what level you are at. I'm quite excited by this season as it looks like a journey into the unknown.
Tell us about your fanzine?
Stoke City is the glue that sticks it together, but football is about far more than the 90 minutes. It's belonging, friendship and blind devotion.
We've been going for four years now and love doing the magazine, and people seem to like reading it. We're monthly, colour, glossy, and champion our team and city.
DUCK magazine is about things like your old man taking you to your first game; the first sight of floodlights at a night game; awaydays; training shoes; the golden days of clubbing putting on your best big coat on a cold Saturday afternoon and heading to the game; watching a band at a great local venue; mates; Northern Soul; siege mentalities; Unfinished sympathy; 'LIFE: LOVE: HOPE: STOKE…..and everything in between' sums it up.
Pre-match prediction?
Manchester United are a different proposition now than under their last manager, and whilst our defence has been excellent in our three goals so far, we now face The Reds then Chelsea as our next two home games.
I'll go for 1-1, and would take that like a shot if offered to me now. Even better if we score the equaliser in the last minute!
Prediction
United should continue their 100 per cent start to the season with a win over Stoke, but the Potters will offer a challenge like Leicester City before the international break. The Bet365 Stadium isn’t the easiest ground to travel to, although Mourinho’s side should have too much for Stoke to deal with — in every department: defence, midfield, up front.
While Mourinho will have one eye on the Champions League, which starts next week with a home tie against FC Basel, it’s believed the Portuguese manager will prioritise the Premier League this season.
Stoke are no longer a team that advocates anti-football. Under Sparky they tend to play a much prettier game and have stronger attacking players this season. Having not conceded a single goal in the opening three games of the season, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones face a test to keep David de Geal’s workload at a minimum.
Scoreline prediction: Stoke City 0-2 Manchester United
