If you're having a patchy run or form - which Manchester United most definitely are by their high standards - a game against Stoke City is probably not what you really want. Tony Pulis's gritty outfit have sprung a few shocks already this season, mainly thanks to Rory Delap's rocket-like long throws. United have shipped three goals to Hull City and two against Arsenal in recent weeks, showing defensive frailty that is very unlike them. For that reason, Stoke will fancy their chances any time they get a throw-in in the last third of the pitch. Carlos Tevez came into the team for United's Carling Cup win over QPR in midweek, but he can expect to be back on the bench as Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to stick with his first choice pairing of Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney.



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