United travel to Stoke as Rooney saga reaches conclusion
Will WR feature @ Stoke?
By Chris,
October 22 2010
With Wayne Rooney’s new contract signed, Manchester United must put the week’s bizarre saga behind them as they travel to Stoke on Saturday. After three successive Premier League draws, the Red Devils will be hoping to bring maximum points back to Old Trafford from the Potteries.
Rooney could feature on the substitute’s bench after putting pen-to-paper on a new five year deal.
The England striker missed the mid-week Champions League clash against Bursaspor with an ankle injury as intense speculation continued about his footballing future.
Jonny Evans is a doubt for United with a hip problem, while the Red Devils will also be without Michael Owen and Ryan Giggs.
Young Mexican striker Javier Hernandez is likely to get the opportunity to continue his impressive run of form in attack alongside the excellent Dimitar Berbatov.
Stoke, meanwhile, are hoping to include shoulder injury in their match-day squad as she aims to shake off a shoulder problem. Dean Whitehead is suspended, while towering striker Mamady Sidibe is ruled out with an Achilles issue.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side go into the game with 14 points from their opening 8 league fixtures. They sit five points behind leaders Chelsea and will be anxious for the gap not to grow any bigger this weekend.
The Potters sit ninth in the table and are showing some impressive home form this season; having lost only one of their opening four league games at the Britannia Stadium.
Tony Pulis' men go into the game on the back of a narrow 2-1 defeat against Bolton, losing out at the death to an injury-time Ivan Klasnic strike.