4-2-3-1: Mourinho To Make 6 Changes | Expected Man Utd XI vs Stoke City

Manchester United will be hoping to cut Manchester City’s lead at the top of the table with a win when they take on Stoke at Old Trafford this evening.

Here is the team I think Jose Mourinho will pick for the game:

Goalkeeper: Sergio Romero got a rare run-out during the FA Cup win over Derby County last weekend but David De Gea will return tonight after being rested.

Defence: Mourinho is expected to recall Phil Jones at the back with Chris Smalling likely to make way while Marcos Rojo could also come back in to the side with Daley Blind dropping out.

United have been handed a boost with the news that Antonio Valencia is fit to return after recovering from a hamstring injury so the Ecuadorian international should come back in at right-back.

Victor Lindelof is expected to make way but Luke Shaw could keep his place at left-back as Ashley Young completes his three-game suspension.

Midfield: Nemanja Matic is almost certain to be recalled after being rested in the FA Cup clash last time out so Ander Herrera is set to drop back to the bench.

Mourinho is likely to go with three attacking midfielders at home to Stoke so Paul Pogba may be deployed in a slightly deeper role alongside Matic. Marouane Fellaini will therefore have to make do with a place among the substitutes.

Attack: Romelu Lukaku is set for a recall after being rested against Derby so the Belgian international should lead the line up front this evening. Zlatan Ibrahimovic remains out with a knee injury.

Marcus Rashford could move out to the wing but Anthony Martial is a doubt for the visit of Stoke after picking up a knock so Juan Mata could keep his place in attack.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan will also be hoping to retain his place in the starting eleven but I think Jesse Lingard is more likely to keep his place as he’s been in excellent form lately. Therefore, Mkhitaryan may have to make-do with a place on the bench.

Here is how we think United will line-up: