Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Stoke vs Manchester United - as it happened: Potters hold Jose Mourinho's men to 2-2 draw

Re-live all the action from the Britannia Stadium

Liam Corless,Charlie Wood
Friday 08 September 2017 04:03 EDT
Comments
(Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Manchester United's start has been as close to perfect as even the ficklest Red Devils fan could wish for. Three wins from three; ten goals scored; none conceded. Most impressively of all, Jose Mourinho has seemed jovial of late. The rest of the Premier League has been sent an ominous warning.

Previously struggling players seem to have found themselves, too. Phil Jones, so recently a forgotten man at United, has established himself in central defence alongside Eric Bailly. Paul Pogba, uncertain of his precise role in midfield last term, has been liberated by the arrival of Nemanja Matic. Even Anthony Martial has found his scoring touch after a peripheral season in 2016/17.

Stoke’s start, meanwhile, has been of the solid-yet-unspectacular variety. Their win against Arsenal was tight but fortitudinous, with new loan signing Jese Rodriguez scoring the winner on his Potters debut. They narrowly lost to Everton, and eked out a draw against former boss Tony Pulis’s West Brom.

Follow all the live action below...

Please allow a moment for the blog to load.

Here's everything you need to know about the Premier League clash.

What time does it start?

Stoke vs Manchester United kicks off at 17:30 on Saturday 9th September.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BT Sport from 17:00. Highlights will be shown at 22:30 on BBC One.

It’s a big game for…

Jack Butland

Butland is back from injury and in a good patch of form
Butland is back from injury and in a good patch of form (Getty)

England’s youngest-ever goalkeeper will need to play to his absolute maximum if Stoke are to gain anything from this one.

Best stat…

13: After their promotion to the Premier League in 2008, it took Stoke thirteen matches – spread over six years – to beat Manchester United.

Remember when…

Wayne Rooney became Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer with this superb free-kick.

Player to watch…

Marcus Rashford: The youngster has not always featured heavily under Mourinho, but the Portuguese has put greater faith in Rashford this term.

Marcus Rashford scored the winning goal for England
Marcus Rashford scored the winning goal for England (Getty)

His current form is excellent, typified by a dazzling winner for England on Monday night.

Past three meetings…

Stoke 1 (Mata (o.g.)) Manchester United 1 (Rooney), Premier League, January 2017
Manchester United 1 (Martial) Stoke 1 (Allen), Premier League, October 2016
Manchester United 3 (Lingard, Martial, Rooney) Stoke 0, Premier League, March 2016

Form guide…

Stoke: LWLWWD
Manchester United: WWLWWW

Odds…

Stoke to win: 13/2
Manchester United to win: 17/35
Draw: 33/10
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)

Liam Corless9 September 2017 17:39

After a quick start from both teams there's not been much to report on in the last 10 minutes or so.

United have had the lion's share of possession but Stoke, true to form, are proving tough to break down.

Liam Corless9 September 2017 17:42

17' - Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting volleys the ball over David de Gea's crossbar from 30 yards out.

Speculative to say the least.

Liam Corless9 September 2017 17:48

18' - Romelu Lukaku runs onto an Ander Herrera through ball before sending in a low, right-footed cross towards Paul Pogba, whose improvised effort is turned behind for a corner.

That's much better from United after a rather pedestrian 15-minute spell.

Liam Corless9 September 2017 17:49

21' - Marcus Rashford attempts to find Romelu Lukaku with a left-footed cross but the ball is a little too high for the Belgian forward.

The ball stays in play on the other side of the field but Antonio Valencia's centre drifts out of play for a goal kick.

Liam Corless9 September 2017 17:52

Liam Corless9 September 2017 17:53

24' - Eric Bailly threads the ball through to Marcus Rashford but his low shot is saved at the near post by Jack Butland.

That was good work from both England internationals.

Liam Corless9 September 2017 17:55

27' - Xherdan Shaqiri cuts inside on his left foot and lets fly from outside the area but David de Gea dives to his left to keep the ball out. 

Liam Corless9 September 2017 17:58

28' - Marcus Rashford tests Jack Butland again, this time cutting in on his right foot from the left-hand side before attempting to shape the ball into the far corner. The Stoke keeper is equal to it though as he gets a big left hand on the ball and palms it away from danger.

Liam Corless9 September 2017 18:00

31' - Antonio Valencia plays a neat one-two with Romelu Lukaku before playing a low cross in towards Marcus Rashford. The ball is cut out by Kurt Zouma though and the ball goes behind for a corner 

Liam Corless9 September 2017 18:02

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in