Manchester United - Stoke City live updates

Referee Jonathan Moss blows the whistle to get us started on this huge night for young James Wilson, starting in place of the injured Wayne Rooney and Radamel Falcao.

FIVE MINUTES TO KICK-OFF! Manchester United have the opportunity to win four consecutive Premier League games for only the second time since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson (after four wins in Dec 2013).

MATCH STAT: Stoke have lost their last 11 away games against Manchester United in all competitions

Louis van Gaal: "Of course I had hoped that we would win on Saturday but we have to win also against Stoke City. But in the Premier League nothing is easy. When you see Liverpool struggling against Stoke City - (scoring in the) 85th minute - that shows. You see Arsenal struggling against West Bromwich Albion - they could also have lost. Every game is difficult. That is why the Premier League is exciting, because you never know."

MATCH STAT: Stoke have not won consecutive games against the Red Devils in all competitions since February 1953.

Mark Hughes: "If the injuries continue we are going to have to make sure we're not exposed and leave ourselves too open. The fact we have good players to come in has helped us during this period, but of course we don't want it to continue. We want it to resolve itself. Hopefully given time that's what will happen and we will be able to welcome players back. You've got to be strong enough to cope, and thankfully we are as we have strength in depth, and that's what we prepared for at the start of the season."

With Wayne Rooney missing, mush of the onus will fall on Robin van Persie to score again tonight. He has scored 10 goals in nine Premier League appearances against Stoke.

MATCH STAT: Manchester United won 10 and lost none of the 11 Barclays Premier League meetings with Stoke City until the Potters 2-1 victory at the Britannia Stadium in February.

Louis van Gaal: “I have to change my attack again. It’s unbelievable but the truth. Di Maria cannot play and Rooney cannot play. It’s a good opportunity. I would have brought him on Saturday but he was ill. So he has the opportunity to show himself tonight.”

Stoke City: Begovic; Bardsley, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Cameron, Nzonzi; Ireland, Bojan, Assaidi; Diouf. SUBS: Butland; Muniesa, Palacios, Arnautovic, Adam, Crouch, Shenton.

BREAKING NEWS: Rooney misses out! De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Rojo, Young, Herrera, Fellaini, Carrick, Mata, van Persie, Wilson. SUBS: Lindegaard, Blackett, McNair, Fletcher, Januzaj, Falcao, W.Keane.

United are without Angel Di Maria with a hamstring injury but captain Wayne Rooney is expected to shake off a bang to the knee. Fellow striker Radamel Falcao could be pushing for a start after coming off the bench against Hull.