Afternoon all. Thankfully, after a hard week, the Premier League is back! Here, we will be covering a match between champions Manchester United and Stoke City at Old Trafford. Logic suggests it will be a home win, but you never know Premier League!

Right, before we go any further, the teams news from Old Trafford is just starting to filter through. We'll begin with the home side...

MAN UNITED XI: De Gea; Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Cleverley, Kagawa; Rooney, Van Persie

MAN UNITED SUBS: Lindegaard, Rafael, Fellaini, Januzaj, Young, Valencia, Hernandez

So, the big news for Man United is that Robin van Persie returns from a combination of groin and toe injuries. He will play alongside Wayne Rooney, but Shinji Kagawa has kept his place in the team. That has come at a cost to youngster Adnan Januzaj, who has dropped down to the bench. Elsewhere, experienced centre-back pairing Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are still out, which means Jonny Evans and Phil Jones continue to deputise.

And here is how the visitors will start...

STOKE XI: Begovic; Cameron, Shawcross, Huth, Pieters; Walters, Palacios, Ireland, Nzonzi, Arnautovic; Crouch

STOKE SUBS: Sorensen, Whelan, Jones, Wilson, Adam, Assaidi, Wilkinson

Peter Crouch, who has been largely out of favour with Mark Hughes this season, is given the nod up top and will feature as a lone striker for the Potters. Behind him will be loanee midfielder Steven Ireland, while Wilson Palacios and Steven Nzonzi will provide a shield in front of the back four.

Right then, let's take a closer look at United shall we? We may only be in October, but it's fair to say that really can't afford to drop too many more points anytime soon if they want to retain the title. By the time they kick off, they could be 11 points behind leaders Arsenal, who are currently leading 1-0 at Crystal Palace.

While on paper today's match looks relatively routine for the hosts, they've only won one of their four home games this season. What's more, that was only against Crystal Palace, who have struggled greatly so far this season. While the fans have stuck with Moyes so far, if they don't take all three points today, some could well voice their displeasure.

Someone that knows far too well the pressure of playing for Man United is Stoke boss Hughes, who had two spells with the club as a player. In fact, he must wish he could still put his boots on because his side have struggled for goals this term. They have found the net on four occasions from eight outings, which if truth be told, is relegation form.

Staying with the Hughes and his United connection, let's have a quick trip down memory lane. Below is a video of the Welshman scoring plenty of goals for the Red Devils.

Hughes has also been talking about his former club this week and believes that they no longer possess a fear factor for opposition teams. A sign that he will urge his side to attack today?

"They can't afford any more slip-ups. Maybe they are a little bit vulnerable," The Mirror quotes him as saying. "I don't think there's that aura around the club at the moment and maybe it's a good time to meet them.

"There are only a certain amount of games you can lose. Five or six keeps you in the title race. Lose any more and you make it very difficult, nigh on impossible."

Meanwhile, United boss David Moyes has been busy waxing lyrical about Wayne Rooney's form of late. It must be said that the striker looks to have been given a new lease of life since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure and it would take a brave person to bet against him scoring today.

"It has been great working with Wayne. He has been great in training. I thought that he was very, very good in the game in midweek against Real Sociedad," said Moyes.

"We want his form to continue, and for him to keep scoring goals. He is a big plus for us just now."

It's got to be said, history really doesn't bode well for Stoke. Since they were promoted to the Premier League in 2008, they've conceded 17 goals from their five trips to Old Trafford. What's more, United have won nine of the last 10 meetings between the two clubs. Even so, Stoke can still take some inspiration from West Brom and Southampton in recent weeks.

Incidentally, Arsenal have indeed beaten Palace 2-0, despite having Mikel Arteta sent off midway through the second half. It means that United go into this contest 11 points adrift of the Gunners - they actually have double the points that United have accumulated. It's simply a must-win game for the home outfit.

It will also be a big plus for United to have Van Persie fit again. Here's a picture of the Dutchman going through his paces a few moments ago:

PREDICTION: Right, with a few minutes to go until we get started, let's have a stab at predicting the outcome. Today could well be the day where United finally click. They are playing a Stoke side that have had very little attacking threat so far and you'd back United to control possession. Let's say 3-0 to the hosts.

The players are now out on the pitch and there's a good atmosphere building up inside Old Trafford - not something that can always be said! Only a couple of minutes now...

GAME ON! Here we go then. Stoke have turned United around and are making them attack the Stretford End during the first half.

A sloppy start from United midfielder Tom Cleverley, who sees his intended pass to Rooney intercepted. From there, Stephen Ireland gains possession, but his route to goal is blocked by Jonny Evans. Then, up the other end, Geoff Cameron hacks clear Van Persie's low cross. Decent start.

What an earth has happened to Man United? Stoke had not scored for five and half hours and yet they lead at Old Trafford. Cleverley again loses possession and when the ball is sent into area, Crouch forces a great save from David de Gea. The Stoke striker reacts quickest, though, and pokes in the rebound. Old Trafford is stunned.

What an earth has happened to Man United? Stoke had not scored for five and half hours and yet they lead at Old Trafford. Cleverley again loses possession and when the ball is sent into area, Crouch forces a great save from David de Gea. The Stoke striker reacts quickest, though, and pokes in the rebound. Old Trafford is stunned.

If you want to show children how not to shoot, just show them what Nani produced moments ago. The chance opened up for the United winger on the edge of the area, but he leans back and the ball flies hopelessly over the crossbar. It's an attempt that is met with groans from the home fans.

Credit to the United fans because they are trying to lift their team. However, it's been greeted by 'your not famous anymore' from the travelling faithful. Stoke are enjoying themselves and why not?

CHANCE! A massive opportunity for Crouch and Stoke really should be 2-0 up. Marko Arnautovic sends the ball to the back post for Jonathan Walters, who heads across the face of the United goal. Crouch is there first, but from six yards out, he flicks the ball over the top of the target. Stoke may look back on that moment and regret it - we shall see.

Jonny Evans has just had a sight of goal for United, but he's summed up their season so far by swinging and totally missing the ball. Had someone like Rooney or Van Persie been in that position, they would probably have worked Asmir Begovic.

CHANCE! This time Van Persie does get the ball in a decent position from a low pass by Patrice Evra. The Dutch striker takes one touch to control, but on his weaker right foot he sends his curling effort harmlessly wide of the target. Got to say, he doesn't look totally happy out there - perhaps he is still carrying a knock or two.

For all the possession that United have had since they fell behind, they haven't really troubled Stoke, who are defending well. The likes of Nani, Cleverley and Evans have been extremely wasteful when on the ball.

SAVE! United are all over the place at the back. A flick-on from Crouch finds Walters, who instantly drills the ball goalwards. Thankfully for the home team De Gea reacts quickly to block, but Walters may very well feel that he should have done better with that chance.

As Nani flashes a shot wide from a good 35 yards out, a few jeers ring around Old Trafford. The home side quite simply aren't creating anything clear-cut in front of goal.

SAVES! De Gea is fast becoming United's best player! Walters crosses from the left for Arnautovic, who instantly volleys towards goal. Down goes United's goalkeeper, though, and he holds the ball at the first attempt. Moments later, Rooney stings the palms of Begovic from 25 yards.

It must be said that Rooney is looking like United's only threat right now. He's just weaved his way beyond four Stoke players, before being fouled by Ireland. He's carrying his teammates at the moment.

Not sure where Gary Neville's confidence has come from. Blind loyalty perhaps?!

CHANCES! Two further opportunities for Stoke as Crouch just fails to make contact with a dangerous cross from Erik Pieters, before Marko Arnautovic curls the ball a couple of yards over from the edge of the area. Stoke will be disappointed to only be 1-0 up at the moment.

A big sigh of relief around Old Trafford as Van Persie fires United level. Nani, who has been poor thus far, stands the ball up at the back post for Rooney, who sees his header pushed clear by a diving Begovic. The rebound drops to Van Persie and last season's top scorer powers the ball into an unguarded net. That will make David Moyes's half-time team talk a bit easier.

And all of sudden, within 60 seconds, Moyes's team talk has just got a bit trickier. Phil Jones has to take a lot of the blame for giving away a needless free kick 25 yards from goal. After that it's all about Arnautovic, who curls the ball beyond the reach of De Gea via the underside of the crossbar. Amazing scenes.

There are few boos as Lee Mason blows for half-time and you can't really wonder at it. The home fans have seen their side probably undeservedly draw level, but then moments later they fell back behind. It's been an entertaining opening 45 minutes, that's for sure.

Where do you start with United? To be honest, it's been like most of their other matches. They've defended badly as a team and created very little in attack. It's a game that they simply cannot afford to not win and yet their performance is lacklustre at best. It's a big team talk for Moyes.

As for Stoke, Hughes said that there was nothing for his team to be frightened of and so it has proved. They've defended well as a unit and limited the home side to largely shots from distance. Add to that the fact that they've been lively in attack and the Welsh boss has every reason to be pleased with his players. Still a long way to go, though, and I'm sure he will be drumming that into them right now.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY: Right then - a massive second half for the home side is started by the visitors...

SUBSTITUTION: Some bad news for Stoke as goalscorer Arnautovic is forced to limp off with what looks to be a knee injury. He's been replaced by Marc Wilson, who is more of a defence-minded player.

Potential bright signs for United as Rooney comes alive inside the area and fashions a chance for himself. His strike is blocked well by Ryan Shawcross and the resultant corner comes to little. United need to get the England international on the ball as much as possible because he's the only one that looks as though he can get them back into the game.

Van Persie may have scored, but aside from that he's been poor today. He's just had a chance with a free kick 20 yards from the Stoke goal, but he strikes the ball straight into the wall and the chance is gone. Sums it up really from United's point of view.

SUBSTITUTION: A huge cheer goes up as Nani's number comes up on the board - that will do his confidence no good, but he has been very poor. On in his place is 18-year-old Adnan Januzaj, who has been sent on inspire his team - that's what it has come to.

BOOKING! The first yellow of the afternoon goes to Stoke's Ireland and although he is complaining, it's a clear caution. Januzaj is just too quick for him and so he resorts to upending the young Belgian.

BOOKING! Januzaj is just so positive for someone so young. This time he is in full flight and drives towards the Stoke box, only to be cynically brought down by Palacios, who goes into the book. The youngster has livened United up, but will it be enough?

BOOKING! Someone from Stoke needs to calm Palacios down because just moments after he was booked, he hacks at Cleverley and brings down the United midfielder. Marc Wilson doesn't escape, though, and sees yellow for a trip on Jones.

SUBSTITUTIONS: The disappointing Cleverley exits the action and is replaced by Javier Hernandez. That's an attacking switch from Moyes and the Mexican will play up front alongside Van Persie, while Rooney drops deeper. His first involvement sees him booked for a late challenge on Robert Huth. - he's certainly fired up! There's also a change for Stoke as Glenn Whelan replaces Palacios.

Aside from Januzaj and Rooney, there really has been no urgency about United's play. In the past, they would batter the opposition into submission, but it's just not happening right now. There's still time of course, but right now Stoke are comfortable.

CHANCE! It's a decent opportunity for United, albeit from a narrow angle. Whelan fails to clear the ball sufficiently and it drops to United's Mexican. He drills the ball into the ground, though, and it bounces into the side netting. That's followed by the final United change as Smalling is replaced by Antonio Valencia.

Game well and truly on. I said Rooney has been United's best player and he's just hauled them level. It comes from Van Persie corner and Rooney gets across to the near post. From there, he glances a header to the opposite post and over Begovic, who has no chance. A massive roar goes up around Old Trafford - can they win it?

You'd think United have won the Premier League the way they've celebrated that goal - what a relief! It's a brilliant cross from Evra, which teases Begovic off his line. That's all that the predator Hernandez needs and he nods the ball into a virtually open net. Wild scenes in the red half of Manchester. Stoke react by bringing off Ireland and introducing Charlie Adam.

BOOKING! Yet another yellow card for Stoke and once again it's totally deserved. Hernandez attempts to run down the right wing, but he's deliberately blocked off by Huth.

He may not have been directly involved in the goals, but Januzaj really has brightened United up. Moments ago he collected a short corner and weaved his way to the edge of the Stoke box. His shot is a little wild, though, and flies over the crossbar.

We will have five minutes of stoppage time here at Old Trafford - that's plenty for Stoke to draw level.

Some big pressure from Stoke as substitute Adam looks to volley goalwards. His route is blocked and United clear, but it's all a bit last-ditch from the home side. Can they see this out? Three minutes to go/

The cheer of relief around Old Trafford is deafening! United hold out and as a result collect the three points. Whether it will kickstart their season only time will tell, but it's a step in the right direction nevertheless.

That is all we have time for - thanks for joining us this afternoon. Until next time, goodbye.