You know what, I really look forward to seeing Stoke play these days and their front four is an exciting one. Marko Arnautovic, Ibrahim Afellay and Xherdan Shaqiri are playing behind Bojan and at the moment they are keeping the Manchester United defence busy.

Jimmy Armfield
BBC Radio 5 live at the Britannia Stadium

"The thing about Louis van Gaal is that he likes the two full-backs to work as attackers. He is also banking on Marouane Fellaini, who has played in a number of positions for the side. He is almost like the utility man. Today, he is playing in central midfield."

Glenn Whelan over hits a ball into the box after the corner, before Bojan launches an effort high over. Stoke are up for this one.

It looks like Marouane Fellaini is playing as the most advanced midfielder, roving behind Anthony Martial, with Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera deep.

They'v not seen much of the ball yet, though, as Stoke crack straight on with pressing the United defence. Marko Arnautovic bursts forward before playing a fine pass to Xherdan Shaqiri, his cross runs across the goal but Stoke pick up the ball and win a corner.

Image source, Reuters

A big 90 minutes for Louis van Gaal is under way.

Image source, BBC Sport

It is 'man versus machine' this week. Our man Mark Lawrenson takes on a state-of-the-art super-computer called SAM (Sports Analytics Machine) in his weekly prediction game - find out here what they have plumped for in all of the Boxing Day fixtures in the Premier League.

Image source, BBC Sport

Think Manchester United are under-performing in the Premier League? Well, they're faring better than their fans in our Prediction League.

United supporters are struggling down in 15th place, while Stoke fans are flying high in fifth.

You can help your team climb the table by having your say in our Predictor game.

You can also check out the Predictor league table and see whether your predictions are better than Mark Lawrenson's guesses.

What are you waiting for? Get involved.

Jimmy Armfield
BBC Radio 5 live at the Britannia Stadium

"When Louis van Gaal came to Manchester United, he came with a real reputation. You look at the clubs he has managed - Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich - but it is all about results. 

"Going out of the Champions League was the big one, there wouldn't have been the same pressure on him. Consequently, he has to come up with some formula to change results. This is a big one for him."

The players are in the tunnel, so a final reminder of the team news before kick-off. 

If you've just popped onto this page, the big news is that Wayne Rooney is on the bench.

Image source, Reuters

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was better to play Ander Herrera instead of Wayne Rooney. It is a tactical decision.

"I don't think it is to take drastic measures, it is to do with my gameplan.

"I think we have done everything we can do. I have seen a good spirit and I fully believe in this game.

"It is a main factor (wind) but you have to cope with that."

Jack: It's about time Rooney was dropped, Schweinsteiger should be the captain for obvious reasons, that's where Van Gaal made a mistake. Now with a more mobile, pacy front line hopefully United play with a bit more freedom and show us what they can do.   

Gerry: Well this will be a wake-up call for Rooney. He's a kind of fighter and will improve after this drop. LVG should've done it before.

Stephen Kennedy: Big call from LVG to drop Rooney but also a big call not to play Schneiderlin. Stoke will fancy their chances.

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I mentioned earlier about the art of pulling a fake happy faces at Christmas when getting socks or other such practical but boring presents (sorry mum!). Well, Louis van Gaal was doing one of those when he strode into the stadium earlier, clutching his binder. 

He has said that his decision to name Wayne Rooney on the bench is a tactical one, insisting it wasn't a 'drastic measure' to not include the forward in the first XI. Time will tell.

Alistair Mann
MOTD commentator at Britannia Stadium

A poem for Christmas.....

It’s Christmas Eve in Carrington and darkness has descended

While for others long since home, their working day has ended,

A man sits down he’s deep in thought, his coat says “LVG”

For him so much to ponder, is it time for 4-3-3?

People say it's crisis point, that things have all gone wrong

He feels that he can turn it round, he’s resolute and strong.

A career that has been glittering, in Spain and Holland too,

But now he sits there wondering exactly what to do.

You can read the rest by clicking here.

Alistair, by the way, has penned a quite fantastic poem. A Mann of many talents, you could say. Sorry, blame the bad Christmas cracker jokes from yesterday for that effort...

I'll drop the poem into the next entry.

Alistair Mann
MOTD commentator at the Britannia Stadium

"If the newspaper reports are accurate then Manchester United's match at Stoke could be Louis van Gaal's last as their manager. 

"There appear to be three scenarios if he departs; Jose Mourinho takes over, Ryan Giggs succeeds Van Gaal or an interim manager is appointed, possibly Giggs, with Pep Guardiola taking the helm in the summer. 

"Few scribes offer encouragement for the Dutchman. It's not simply about United's recent poor results but the manner of them. Even Stoke boss Mark Hughes recently referred to a "United way" that demands entertainment at its core. 

"It's no coincidence that Hughes has transformed Stoke's methods, typified by the stylish way they saw off Manchester City earlier this month. 

"While Hughes will be keen for his side to replicate that performance, Van Gaal won't want to lie down either, which all points to a fascinating start to the Boxing Day programme."

Any kids who got a telescope from a certain department store for Christmas might be a bit disappointed that when they point the thing at the moon, there won't be some teary old fella staring back. Instead, it could well be a Stoke City flag.

A Potters' fan's campaign to get Stoke in space has come to fruition, with British astronaut Tim Peake having a flag sent up to the International Space Station.

He's now unfurled it and stuck it one of the ISS' windows. You can see it through a telescope too, apparently.

You can tweet on #bbcfootball,, externaltext on 81111 (UK onlyand please include a name),or post on the MOTD Facebook page., external