With three wins in the opening three games, United players and fans are high on confidence, Jose Mourinho on the other hand has kept the fans and the press reminding that Manchester United did start in a similar manner last year but fell away after the International break.
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Although they look a far better side than last term, the Portuguese is wary of the subtlety that the Premier League brings with every match. The coach will want his side to continue the winning form when they face Stoke City at the Bet 365 stadium on Saturday.
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With a full squad to choose from, here is the predicted line-up for Saturday’s game:
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Team Formation: 4-2-3-1
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In Goal
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David de Gea: First name on the team sheet. Has kept three clean sheets in as many matches this season.
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Defence
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Antonio Valencia: The powerful right back has been praised by Jose Mourinho on numerous occasions and is a firm starter for United week in week out in the Premier League.
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Eric Bailly: Scored in Manchester United’s away game at Swansea, more importantly has been an integral part of United’s defence this season with his clean and robust tackles.
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Phil Jones: The Englishman has shown a lot of improvement as a defender. Him and Eric Bailly have shown signs of a formidable partnership this season. Mourinho shall continue with them in the heart of Manchester United’s defence as both the defenders have European bans to be served at the midweek.
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Daily Blind: With Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo both out with injuries, Jose Mourinho has very few options in the left-back position. Blind has been performing well in the first three matches and brings about a sense of calmness in the defence.
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Midfield
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Nemanja Matic: The summer signing has brought about the perfect balance to Mourinho’s side. Has been immense in helping United create chances. His interceptions have been key to Manchester United’s counter attacks this season. He is certain starter specially in away games like this one at Stoke.
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Paul Pogba: The Frenchman has started the season with 2 goals and a assist. Has lived upto expectations so far. With the arrival of Matic, Pogba is enjoying his time on the pitch. Again a certain starter on Sunday.
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Juan Mata: Having put in good performances in the first three matches, Mourinho might be persuaded to continue with Mata on the flanks. Although it isn’t his favored position he allows Valencia to run into spaces and create chances.
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Marcus Rashford: Has been in great form in the International break. Scored an impressive goal for England and that might be convincing enough for Jose Mourinho to start him ahead of Anthony Martial on Saturday.
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Henrikh Mkhitariyan: The Armenian with 5 assists in just 3 games is in amazing form. Having already grabbed more assists than he did whole of last season, this player looks determined to perform at the highest level consistently.
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Striker
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Romelu Lukaku: Jose Mourinho couldn’t have expected a better start to the season from the Belgian striker. Having already scored three goals, Lukaku will be a consistent starter for Manchester United this season. Against stoke his physicality will come into play.
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Jose Mourinho hasn’t made much changes during the first three games of the season. But, with the Champions League visit of Basel three days away, Mourinho could make subtle alterations to his team in order to save the legs of some of those he has in mind for a starting berth on Tuesday.
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Photo by MULADAR NEWS 
