Stoke vs Manchester United team news: Wayne Rooney benched for crucial Boxing Day clash

Louis van Gaal makes just one change to the team that lost to Norwich City last week

Tom Sheen
Saturday 26 December 2015 12:49 GMT
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Louis van Gaal shakes Wayne Rooney’s hand (
Louis van Gaal shakes Wayne Rooney’s hand ( (Getty)

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Wayne Rooney has been dropped to the bench for Manchester United's crucial clash with Stoke City.

Louis van Gaal is under pressure with the side winning just three of their last 13 matches, but the Dutch coach has decided to drop the club captain for the difficult trip to the Britannia Stadium.

Ander Herrera comes in for Rooney, the only change from the team that lost to Norwich City last weekend, with Anthony Martial to play as the central striker.

The move means Ashley Young continues at right-back and Daley Blind on the left, with Marouane Fellaini behind Martial.

Mark Hughes makes just one change to the team that lost to Crystal Palace last week, Geoff Cameron coming in for Marco van Ginkel in central midfield.

TEAMS:

Stoke City: Butland, Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters, Whelan, Cameron, Shaqiri, Afellay, Arnautovic, Bojan.

Subs: Haugaard, Joselu, Wilson, Van Ginkel, Adam, Diouf, Walters.

Manchester United: De Gea, Young, Smalling, Jones, Blind, Carrick, Herrera, Mata, Fellaini, Memphis, Martial.

Subs: Romero, Borthwick-Jackson, McNaie, Varela, Pereira, Schneiderlin, Rooney.

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