Manchester United have won 11 and lost just one of the 13 Premier League meetings with Stoke.

Robin van Persie has scored 10 goals in 10 Premier League appearances against the Potters, including four in five for Manchester United. Ominous signs for the Potters...

Ryan Giggs shakes hands and has a brief chat with Stoke forward Mame Diouf. Diouf had a brief, unsuccessful spell at Old Trafford, scoring one goal but not making a league start for United. Could he make them pay today?

David de Gea goes through his warm-up routine at the blustery Britannia Stadium. He starts the new year as arguably Manchester United's best player. Certainly the most improved.

Could a new contract for the Spaniard represent their best signing of 2015?

Almost universal approval from everyone this morning when it comes to the Tony Pulis appointment at The Hawthorns. Much may depend on how he gets on with the club's backroom set-up.

On Tony Pulis being appointed West Brom manager:

Pacifist:, external Tony Pulis is the perfect match for Albion, top 10 finish for them beckons

Disco Stu:, external I really think if Pulis was given a good squad he'd be a star and there would not be a long ball in sight. He's a realist.

Terry Mahoney:, external No new Premier League managers for ages then three come along at once, just like buses.... or coaches even. Sorry.

Stoke knew that Bojan was likely to miss out after picking up a hamstring injury in the win against West Brom, but the confirmation of his absence doesn't soften the blow. Jon Walters comes into an otherwise unchanged XI.

Manchester United freshen up the defence that played in the 0-0 draw at Tottenham. In come Phil Jones and Luke Shaw for Paddy McNair and Antonio Valencia as Louis van Gaal sticks with three centre-halves. Angel di Maria, back in training, is not involved.

Stoke XI: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Muniesa, Pieters; Walters, Nzonzi, Whelan, Arnautovic; Diouf, Crouch.

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Young, Jones, Smalling, Evans, Shaw, Carrick, Mata, Rooney, van Persie, Falcao.

BBC Radio 5 live

You can follow all the scores, results and news on Radio 5 Live, who have live coverage of Stoke v Man United (12:45 GMT) with John Murray and Philip Neville, Man City v Sunderland (15:00 GMT) with Ian Dennis and Neil Lennon and Tottenham v Chelsea (17:30 GMT) with Connor McNamara and Steve Claridge.

The day's coverage starts at midday though so get the radio on, or tune in on this page.

Not forgetting Sports Report at 17:00 GMT and 606 with Jason Mohammad and Kevin Kilbane from 19:30 GMT.

Plenty of attacking players on display from both sides at the Britannia today then. There has to be goals in this one, surely?

bad news for Stoke as instrumental Catalan Bojan does miss out with injury. He is replaced by the industry of Jon Walters in the only change.

Stoke XI: Begovic, Cameron, Shawcross, Muniesa, Pieters, Nzonzi, Whelan, Arnautovic, Walters, Diouf, Crouch

Manchester United make two changes from the team which drew with Spurs. In come Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw. Ashley Young at right wing-back?

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Young, Jones, Smalling, Evans, Shaw, Carrick, Mata, Rooney, van Persie, Falcao

A de Randle: Games reduced to 60 minutes but with the clock stopping when the game stops or the ball goes out of play. No injury time, no point time wasting, no pointless last-minute substitutions.

Michael Arscott: Red cards for diving, followed by a five game ban.

Terry Brooker: A wage cap to stop the greed being a factor in players decisions to move clubs

Russell Baker: Cheaper tickets so more people can get engaged in such a historic sport. This would be a good business option too because surely it would be better to have a stadium brimmed with supporters?

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Manchester United have arrived at Stoke. Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney all in the dressing room. We should have team news for you shortly.

On Tony Pulis being appointed West Brom manager:

Craig Walker:, external Pulis is like the Jose Mourinho of the bottom clubs - always gets the job done.

Tatenda Chakaduka:, external West Brom are not playing fair, appointing Tony Pulis is the equivalent of using an 'avoid relegation' cheat code.

Geoff Naylor:, external I know, if I was a Palace or Albion fan, who I'd have more faith in to make sure my club avoids relegation: Pulis or Pardew.

A word of warning to anyone planning on getting the train to Villa Park this afternoon - if my Twitter timeline is anything to go by it looks like there are all sorts of issues with trains in the Birmingham area. One to check before you head off.

Four points for an away win! A maverick approach. I quite like that one Kevin.

Jimmeh:, external I'd like to see Hawkeye used for offside calls with similar rules to tennis, where if you're wrong, you lose that call.

Kevin Joseph Collinson:, external Great idea for the future of football would be four points for an away win.

Tony Dickinson:, external Referee appeal system: One protest allowed. One goal if you're wrong.

Image source, Getty Images

Aberdeen will replace Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership - if only for a few hours - should they defeat St Johnstone at Pittodrie. Derek McInnes's side trail the leaders by two points but will leapfrog the Hoops with victory in the 15:00 GMT kick-off game. McInnes started his managerial career at St Johnstone. Celtic, without a win in their previous two league games, are away at Partick Thistle in a 17:30 GMT game. Third-placed Dundee United entertain their rivals from over the road Dundee in the early kick-off at 12:15 GMT.

Scottish Premiership fixtures: Dundee United v Dundee (12:15 GMT), Aberdeen v St Johnstone (15:00 GMT), Hamilton v Motherwell (15:00 GMT), Ross County v Inverness (15:00 GMT), St Mirren v Kilmarnock (15:00 GMT), Partick Thistle v Celtic (17:30 GMT).

Image source, PA

Steven Gerrard's slip, David Moyes' exit, Ronaldo v Messi, Gareth Bale's cup wins, two epic penalty shootouts, Brazilian capitulation, the return of Emile Heskey, THAT James Rodriguez goal, dire England World Cup fare, bye bye Suarez.

Image source, Getty Images

Wilfried Bony outscoring everyone, Tony Pulis to the rescue, Germany winning the World Cup, Manchester City winning the title, Manchester United spending the earth and Arsenal finally winning a trophy. Any trophy.

Some very edited highlights of a brilliant 2014 of football. Can 2015 deliver anywhere near the same level of gold? Let's hope so...

Rugby league/NFL style video refs? That is one improvement that is at least feasible. Could each manager have a 'challenge' per game?

We have 'vanishing spray' and goalline technology, but what's next? Robot goalkeepers? Balls that catch fire?

Harry 'maverick' Thompson: Referees with speaker phones like rugby, to give the players more respect for the ref.

Rob Watts: When a match finishes as a draw the team with most shots gets two points (encourages more shooting, therefore more goals)

Joe Anjilivelil: Instant reviews - a referee who has the power to overturn the on field referee's decision after reviewing the video.

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