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So here we are then. The English press have decided that Louis van Gaal has been given two games to save his job, and here's the first of them. If it truly is a must-win for the manager, then how the players respond to that will tell us quite a lot about whether Van Gaal's dressing room is with him. We know he has Wayne Rooney's backing; we may also find out just how much that means.
Today's opponents are Stoke City, who could be a bit awkward. We've a full preview here, but in summary: they're wildly inconsistent, but potentially very good. You may recall them turning Manchester City into a fine meat paste not too long ago. For United, none of Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo or Jesse Lingard have recovered from their injuries, and so join long-term absentees Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia on the sidelines. Also missing will be Bastian Schweinsteiger, who completes his three-match ban today. However, Morgan Schneiderlin might be back.
Just one last thing to note, then. Happy Christmas.
HOW TO WATCH
When: Saturday 26 December 2015, 12:45pm UK time, 7:45am ET.
Where: The Britannia Stadium, Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 4EG
TV: Sky Sports 1 in the UK, NBC Sports Network in the USA
Online: Sky Go in the UK, NBC Online Extra in the USA
LINEUPS
United XI: De Gea, Young, Smalling, Jones, Blind, Carrick, Herrera, Mata, Fellaini, Memphis, Martial #mufc pic.twitter.com/iHOR9y8vds
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 26, 2015
TEAM NEWS | Here is your #SCFC Starting XI and substitutes for this afternoon's @premierleague game against @ManUtd. pic.twitter.com/cbB5JHg0KP
— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) December 26, 2015