This has the potential to be the Potters’ trickiest match of the season. From the moment the fixture lists came out way back last July, we’ve known that it was likely that we’d be visiting the current champions just at the point when they’d be attempting to retain the trophy. With Chelsea needing a win to win the League, United need to beat us and hope that Wigan do them an unlikely favour down at Stamford Bridge.
Stand by for a bumpy ride!
With the manager’s blasting still ringing in the players’ ears after the Chelsea defeat, Matthew Etherington is one that does want to see a repeat at Old Trafford:
‘I don’t want to ever get beaten like we did at Chelsea again.
We usually make it hard for teams to beat us and we`ll try to make sure we do that again.’
Daily Star
United have the advantage of not having played in midweek whilst the Potters were winning in London. Alex Ferguson could give Rio Ferdinand a start after his sub appearance last week against Sunderland.
We’ll have to do a bit more than just watch him……
Stoke will be relieved that they’ve reached the manager’s target of exceeding 45 points before this final game and also has the luxury of naming an unchanged side after the 1-0 win over Fulham in midweek if he wants.
The new recruit will be facing a severe test against the likely onslaught from the wannbe champions.
Mark Clattenburg
See you again in August