Stoke v Manchester United: Juan Mata, Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney all start together for the first time
Mata will support Rooney and van Persie as they continue their recovery from injury
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United will head into their Premier League fixture with Stoke with Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata all in the starting line-up for the very first time.
Manager David Moyes was all smiles when he presented Mata as a United player last Monday, following the completion of his £37.1m transfer from rivals Chelsea. While van Persie made his return in the midweek win over Cardiff, Rooney had to make do with a 30 minute cameo off the bench, replacing the Dutchman as they both continue their recovery from injury.
The prospect of the trio linking up together will have fans on the edge of their seats, especially as Mata looked comfortable on his debut at Old Trafford on Tuesday, but they will be joined by Ashley Young in an attacking quartet after the Englishman edges out youngster Adnan Januzaj, who is named among the substitutes.
For Stoke, Mark Hughes continues to name John Guidetti on the bench, despite his apparent “anger” over a lack of playing time since completing his loan move from Manchester City.
Jon Walters continues in attack and will be supported by new signing Peter Odemwingie – who starts after completing his swap deal from Cardiff with Kenwyne Jones – and Marko Arnautovic.
Line-ups:
Stoke: Begovic, Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters, Adam, Whelan, Odemwingie, Arnautovic, Walters, Crouch.
Subs: Muniesa, Palacios, Guidetti, Assaidi, Sorensen, Shotton, Ireland.
Manchester United: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Evans, Evra, Cleverley, Carrick, Young, Rooney, Mata, van Persie.
Subs: Da Silva, Lindegaard, Hernandez, Welbeck, Fletcher, Valencia, Januzaj.
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