Stoke-on-Trent (Sporting Alert) — Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie all start for Manchester United in today’s Premier League trip to Stoke City on Saturday.
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Also starting is Michael Carrick, who will be partnered in the midfield by Tom Cleverley, as Antonio Valencia was left out to make way for the return of Rooney.
Phil Jones plays at right-back today, with Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling playing at center-half. Ashley Young keeps his place in the starting team, which means Adnan Januzaj will start the game on the bench.
Rafael is dropped to the bench as well, while Ryan Giggs, who started in the win over Cardiff City in midweek, has been left out altogether.
There was no place in the team for Shinji Kagawa.
Meanwhile, Peter Odemwingie makes his home debut for Stoke, but fellow recent arrival John Guidetti remains on the bench, as 19.
Jon Walters and Peter Crouch lead the attack, with Marko Arnautovic also starting this game.
Stoke City v Manchester United
Stoke City: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Odemwingie, Whelan, Adam, Arnautovic, Walters; Crouch
Subs: Muniesa, Palacios, Guidetti, Assaidi, Sorensen, Shotton, Ireland
Manchester United: De Gea, Jones, Evans, Smalling, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley, Young, Rooney, Mata, van Persie.
Subs: Lindegaard, Rafael, Fletcher, Valencia, Januzaj, Welbeck, Hernandez.
