Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Premier League match as Manchester United host Stoke City in a rare round of midweek fixtures. These two sides come into the game have suffered contrasting fortunes of late, so it will be interesting to see whether this one goes to the form book tonight. Let's start with a look at the home side...

After a tricky start to life in the United hotseat, things are beginning to look up for Louis van Gaal. It has taken until November, but his side are beginning to perform as he would like and currently sit in fourth place as we approach the halfway point in the campaign. There is, of course, still a long way to go, but the signs are encouraging for the Red Devils when in the early weeks of his reign they didn't seem to be heading that way.

Indeed, after their last outing, Van Gaal said that it was his side's best performances since he had been at the club. United comfortably dispatched of Hull City 3-0 on Saturday, and Van Gaal was pleased with how they retained control over the game for its entirety rather than allowing the other team back into it, as they have on a few occasions this season. That game management was their downfall earlier in the campaign, but it appears as if they are beginning to find an answer for that.

That victory over Hull made it three in a row for the Red Devils, which is the first time that has happened under Louis van Gaal - or indeed in this calendar year. Their form has certainly improved over recent weeks, and they derby defeat to Manchester City - which they almost salvaged something from despite being down to 10 men - is the only match they have lost in their last eight outings. Five of those have ended in victories, with two draws.

Despite spending so much money on the likes of Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao during the summer, this was always likely to be rebuilding season for United, so a top-four finish would be regarded as a success for Van Gaal in his debut campaign. That is where they currently reside, with a two-point gap over North London pair Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur and five points separating them from the Merseyside duo of Liverpool and Everton. Indeed, with Southampton not in action until tomorrow, United would move within one point of third with victory today.

That would be a big achievement for a side that has been plagued by injuries so far this season. Many of the clubs tipped for a Champions League challenge have struggled for consistency, but none of them - not even Arsenal - have had to adapt as much as United due to injuries. Angel di Maria became the latest casualty in the victory over Hull at the weekend, taking their tally to 42 for the season already. Van Gaal probably hasn't been able to field his first-choice XI once yet as manager, but his side still sit up in fourth place.

Their impeccable home form is a major reason behind their standing in the table at the moment. Things did not get off to a great start when Swansea ruined Van Gaal's first match in charge of the club on the opening day of the Premier League season, winning 2-1 at Old Trafford. However, they are unbeaten in front of their own fans since that defeat and have only dropped two points - to league leaders Chelsea - in the process. That is in stark contrast to the previous campaign, where David Moyes's side enjoyed more success on that road than at Old Trafford.

Van Gaal is still not entirely satisfied, though, and one of the issues that has riled him this week is the packed fixture schedule in English football. December can make or break a season with the fixtures coming thick and fast, so it will be interesting to see how United cope given their well documented injury woes. Van Gaal is on the verge of guiding the club to four wins in a row for only the second time since Sir Alex Ferguson resigned, and if he can keep up that sort of form throughout the festive period then they will be well placed going into the New Year.

By contrast, Mark Hughes will be well used to the hectic winter period in English football, and he will be hoping that it provides his side with a little more joy than they have experienced lately. The Potters have struggled for consistency so far this season and, while they have managed to pick up points here and there, Hughes will want more from his side if they are to achieve another top-half finish.

They slipped down to 12th in the table at the weekend courtesy of a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool, although that match would have brought mixed emotions for Hughes. Obviously the result did not go as he had hoped, but his side did perform well against one of the sides expected to challenge for the top four come May. Stoke may have even felt that they deserved something out of the game having hit the post and seen a late Bojan effort narrowly miss.

As any manager will tell you, though, football is a results business, and it is only one win in their last six games in all competitions for Stoke now. They have lost four of those games, including two in a row in the Premier League for the first time since January. Their last victory came back on November 9, so it is pushing on a week since they tasted a win.

As a result, the Potters are now just four points clear of the bottom three despite their relatively lofty league position. It is very tight at the bottom right now and, with those in the relegation zone beginning to show some improvement, a number of teams are in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle. Stoke may not be one of the main teams at risk right now, but a failure to improve on their recent results over the festive period could see them slide ever closer to that bottom three.

They do, however, have a solid defence to fall back on, boasting the best defensive record in the bottom half of the table. They have conceded just 16 times so far this season, but it is at the other end that the main problems lie. They have managed just a goal per game so far this season, netting 13 goals in their 13 outings. Hughes will not worry too much about those numbers just yet, but they will need to improve that goalscoring ratio if they are to get into the top half by the end of the campaign.

In all it has been a very mixed bag for the Potters so far this season, with some very impressive results being mixed with some poor ones. They have picked up victories against the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Swansea and Newcastle - all teams in the top nine of the table right now. However, they have also lost to struggling sides such as Leicester, Burnley and Aston Villa.

Away from home there have also been mixed results for the Potters. The victories over Manchester City and Tottenham came at the Etihad and White Hart Lane respectively, but they remain their only away wins of the campaign. They have also lost three of their last four games on the road, with their overall away record this season standing at two wins, two draws and three defeats.

TEAM NEWS: The teams are in for both sides, and the big news is that United skipper Wayne Rooney is not included in the squad having picked up a knee injury in the win over Hull. Wilson fills in up front, with Falcao once again left on the bench. Stoke, meanwhile, welcome Assaidi back into the side, but there is no place for Arnautovic or Crouch. Full team news for both sides coming up...

MANCHESTER UNITED STARTING XI: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Rojo, Young; Herrera, Fellaini, Carrick, Mata; Van Persie, Wilson

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Lindegaard, Blackett, McNair, Fletcher, Januzaj, Falcao, W.Keane

STOKE STARTING XI: Begovic; Bardsley, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Cameron, Nzonzi, Ireland; Bojan, Assaidi, Diouf

STOKE SUBS: Butland, Muniesa, Palacios, Arnautovic, Adam, Crouch, Shenton

So, what can we make of those two sides? Well, the loss of Rooney is a major blow for the hosts as the skipper has been in fine form of late. He had scored in nine of his last 13 matches for club and country, including a lovely strike against Hull at the weekend, but misses out this evening having clattered into the advertising hoardings late on in that game against the Tigers. Falcao came on as a sub in that game having returned from injury, but he is not yet fit enough to start.

Wilson is the man who comes into the side for the absent skipper, and he will play alongside Robin van Persie, who showed glimpses of his former self in the victory over Hull. The clearest sign of that was his wonderful goal that capped off the scoring, and he will be hoping that he can now put some poor form behind him. He had a superb record against Stoke having scored 10 goals in nine Premier League games against them, while he has scored in each of his four meetings with the Potters as a United player.

Another notable absentee for the starting lineup is Angel di Maria, who limped off early against Hull with a hamstring injury. Ander Herrera makes a rare start in place of the Argentine, slotting into midfield alongside Fellaini and Carrick. Mata, meanwhile, resumes his role behind the strikers and will be looking to earn a regular spot when the likes of Rooney and Falcao are both back to full fitness.

United are able to name an unchanged back four, which is not something that has happened often this season. However, it is still very much a makeshift one with Valencia and Young as the full-backs. Shaw, Rafael and Jones are all still out injured, while Evans is also not yet fit enough to make his return in the middle. Smalling has been criticised at times this season, but his goal against Hull should give him a bit of confidence going into tonight's match.

That United defence could have their work cut out against Bojan tonight, with the Spaniard starting to find his feet in English football. He looked bright against Liverpool and almost rescued a point for his side on a couple of occasions at Anfield, so he will be looking to build on that display tonight. Assaidi couldn't play in that match at the weekend due to him being on loan from Liverpool, so his return is a boost, while Diouf may feel that he has something to prove against his former club having never been given much of a chance while at United.

In midfield, Hughes is without Sidwell and Whelan, who were both injured during the defeat to Liverpool, but there is still no place for Charlie Adam, who starts on the bench. Cameron, N'Zonzi and Ireland are the midfield trio tonight, with Arnautovic left on the bench and Walters not in the squad.

As mentioned earlier, the defence has been fairly solid for Stoke so far this season, and they will be pleased to see now Rooney or Falcao in the opposition starting lineup. Even so, the back four will be fully aware that they are likely to come under heavy pressure at times during today's game and will be forced to defend for long periods. They are boosted by the return of Bardsley, though, and his presence at right-back allows Cameron to be pushed up into midfield.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff at Old Trafford, which means that it is time for a prediction! United have been in fine form at home since that blip on the opening day of the season and, coupled with Stoke's indifferent form coming into the game, that makes it hard to see anything other than a victory for the hosts. Stoke never make it easy in such games, but United should have enough about them to come away with all three points. I'll go for 2-0 to the home side.

The Sports Mole sofa panellists agreed that it is going to be a fairly comfortable victory for the Red Devils tonight. You can see what we had to say in our video preview below:

The recent history between the sides also points to a United victory. Stoke have lost their last 11 matches at Old Trafford in all competitions, a run that stretches all the way back to a 1-0 victory in April 1976, when Alan Bloor scored the only goal of the game. They did, however, beat United at the Britannia in February, ending a run of five straight defeats to United and giving them their first league victory over the Red Devils since 1984.

This match also sees an old favourite return to Old Trafford once again. Mark Hughes played 467 times for United during his career, winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups. However, he has only ever won once here as a manager, back in 2005 when in charge of Blackburn. He has taken a club here nine times overall, with seven defeats.

There are five other Premier League fixtures on offer for you tonight, and we have each one covered here on Sports Mole. I will also keep you updated with major events from around the country as and when they happen.

KICKOFF: United get us underway at Old Trafford as they look to make it four wins in a row and move within one point of third-placed Southampton.

United have taken control of the ball in these early stages and are knocking it about comfortably in defence. Stoke aren't venturing too far out of their own half in these opening exchanges, and that could be the pattern we see for much of the match.

It is Stoke's turn to have a decent spell of possession, and it comes inside the United half. They have a couple of good chances to hoist the ball into the box, but the delivery is disappointing on both occasions and the hosts are able to clear the danger.

Good defending from Cameron, who is playing further forward than usual tonight. He tracks the run of Mata down the left channel and gets a foot on the Spaniard's cross as it loops into the arms of Begovic.

Stoke are putting everyone back into their own half whenever United have the ball at the moment. They are not attempting to press the home defence too high up the field, instead looking to pack out their own half and limit the space for United.

A good opening for the hosts as Fellaini chests down a diagonal ball on the right before rolling a square pass inside to Herrera. The midfielder picks the ball up in a good position but then looks to pass it rather than shooting when he had space to do so.

Herrera has been deployed at the tip of the diamond for United this evening, as he was when he replaced Di Maria against Hull. Mata is out on the left with Fellaini on the right in a narrow diamond, while Carrick is at the base of the quartet.

United have dominated this opening 15 minutes in terms of possession, but Stoke have looked pretty comfortable at the back so far. The hosts are yet to find a way through the Potters, although they will be confident of doing so if they keep up this level of control over the game.

CHANCE! Just as I say that, United squander an absolute sitter to take the lead! It is dreadful from Begovic as he telegraphs a pass towards Pieters, gifting it straight to Van Persie inside the Stoke box. The Dutch striker unselfishly squares it to Herrera who, under no pressure, blazes his effort well over the top. That is a shocking miss, and Begovic is the most relived man in the stadium.

Nice football from Stoke inside the United half as they play a few short passes in and around the penalty area. Ireland and N'Zonzi are involved, but they just try one too many and the United defence nip in to steal possession.

Lovely play from Young on the left as he skips past Ireland and into the penalty area. He pulls the ball back for Mata, but the Spaniard can't bring it under his spell and Stoke quickly crowd him out.

United make the breakthrough, and it is a first Old Trafford goal for Marouane Fellaini! That is exactly why he was played on the right side of the diamond as he charges into the box and soars above the full-back to nod home a looping cross. It was Herrera who supplied the delivery, and there was only ever going to be one winner between Fellaini and Pieters there.

Fellaini can be such a weapon in those situations, and it would be a surprise if United didn't try to exploit that avenue again at some point tonight. It all looked too easy for them.

UPDATE: More good news for Manchester United fans - Liverpool have also fallen behind in their match against bottom-of-the--table Leicester. It was a fortuitous one for the Foxes as Ulloa's strike hit the post and came back off Mignolet for an own goal. Elsewhere, Dawson has given West Brom the lead against West Ham.

UPDATE: There has been another goal at the King Power Stadium, and this time it has gone to Liverpool. Adam Lallana has levelled things up quickly for the Reds.

Fellaini is looking confident right now following that goal. The big midfielder has been in decent form for United since changing the game against West Brom earlier in the season, and he looks like United's most potent threat in this match.

A hint of a penalty shout for the hosts as Wilson collects the ball in the box before going down under the challenge of Cameron. The claims are muted, though, and the referee says no. At the other end, Pieters whips a fine ball into the box that just eludes Ireland and Bojan and is cleared behind for a corner.

The replays suggest that there may have been something in that penalty shout. There was certainly contact between Cameron and Wilson as the American came through the back of the youngster, but it was by no means a heavy challenge. It could have gone either way.

Fellaini is the difference between the two sides at the moment, and he looks pretty happy about it! Here is a shot of him celebrating the only goal of the game so far:

UPDATE: Burnley have opened the scoring at Turf Moor in their match against Newcastle, who could be on course for a second consecutive defeat following that remarkable run of wins. George Boyd got the goal for Sean Dyche's side.

It is all very comfortable for United right now. They have not yet been really troubled defensively and, while they haven't been cutting through Stoke at will, that Fellaini goal means that they can take their time in looking for gaps in the visiting defence.

Talk about the commentator's curse! Stoke have their equaliser, and it is a sweet strike from N'Zonzi. Bojan does well in the build-up committing three or four red shirts with a dangerous run into the box. He is eventually tackled but the ball breaks to N'Zonzi, who lashes it into the far corner from the edge of the box.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the match is shown to Bardsley, who left a leg out to trip Young as the makeshift left-back had looked to have beaten him.

WHAT A SAVE! He had a shocker earlier, but Begovic has just pulled off a magnificent stop to prevent United from immediately regaining their lead. The free kick is not dealt with by Stoke as the ball drops to Smalling, whose scuffed effort falls to Fellaini. The goalscorer prods an effort goalwards from just a few yards out, but Begovic responds brilliantly to make the save.

You'd have to say that Fellaini should have scored that one, but take nothing away from the save. The ball came to the Belgian quickly and he couldn't have done too much more than turn it goalwards, but it still goes down as a sitter. That's two clear chances that the hosts have squandered now.

There fourth official indicates a minimum of one minute added time at the end of this first half.

Jonathan Moss brings an end to the first half at Old Trafford, and the two sides go into the break all square after a decent opening 45 minutes. United have controlled things for the most part, bossing possession and asking most of the questions in an attacking sense, but Stoke have been more clinical in taking their one and only chance so far.

The opening goal came in the 21st minute, and it was a textbook Fellaini header the type of which United fans haven't seen enough of since his arrival at the club. The Belgian charged into the box to latch on to a lofted Herrera cross at the back post, rising higher than Pieters to nod past Begovic from close range.

United seemed to be in complete control of the game following that opener, but Stoke struck with the equaliser just six minutes before the break. It was good work from Bojan in the build-up as he took on a number of United defenders, drawing three or four of them towards him before he was finally tackled. The loose ball fell to N'Zonzi on the edge of the box, and the midfielder lashed a fine effort into the corner.

There hasn't been a glut of goalmouth action, but United certainly will feel that they have had the chances to be ahead at the break in this one. The first clear chance so Begovic gift the ball to Van Persie inside his own box, allowing the Dutchman to roll it across for Herrera. The midfielder was in plenty of space inside the area, but blazed his effort well over the top when he should have at least hit the target.

Fellaini also had a great chance to double his personal tally shortly before the break, but Begovic made a magnificent stop to deny the Belgian. Smalling's scuffed effort arrived quickly to Fellaini, who turned it goalwards from close range inside the box. However, the Stoke keeper reacted brilliantly to keep it out and prevent United from regaining the lead.

KICKOFF: Stoke get us back underway at Old Trafford as they look to hold on to this draw or perhaps get a goal to nick an unlikely victory over United. No changes at the break from either side.

United look to get straight onto the attack, but Stoke rebuff their initial charge and launch a break of their own. They have numbers ahead of N'Zonzi as he strides forward from midfield, but his pass is poor and picks out a red shirt when he had plenty of blue ones to aim for.

UPDATE: Newcastle have levelled things up against Burnley early in the second half, with Papiss Cisse getting the goal at Turf Moor. Elsewhere, Benteke has given Aston Villa the lead against Crystal Palace and West Ham have come from behind to lead West Brom courtesy of goals from Nolan and Tomkins.

Again United look to work the ball down the left and hoist a high ball towards the back post for Fellaini, but this time the delivery is disappointing. Pieters gets an elbow to the face when competing with the Belgian, although it didn't look to be an intentional one.

Van Persie has been fairly anonymous in this one so far. He scored a cracking goal against Hull last time out so should have been full of confidence going into tonight's game, but he has barely made a difference at all.

Van Persie does make a difference here as he plays a nice ball into the area to release Herrera on the right side of the box. The midfielder can't find a teammate with his pass, though, and the move breaks down when the referee stops play due to an injury to Pieters.

Pieters limps off the field having been trod on by Van Persie, and he is in some discomfort right now. It didn't look to be a deliberate one from the Dutch striker on his compatriot, but that won't make it any less painful for Pieters.

UPDATE: Liverpool have turned things around at the King Power Stadium, and after the all the talk surrounding him this week it is Steven Gerrard who has got the goal to make it 2-1. A big goal for both the club and the player.

YELLOW CARD! Pieters is still not moving too freely and he is tested by Valencia down the right flank here, bringing the United man down and receiving a yellow card for his troubles.

United regain the lead, but there is some confusion as to who exactly gets the goal. Mata swung a very dangerous ball into the box and his delivery appeared to miss everyone on the way through before nestling in the far corner. However, Rojo may well have got the slightest of touches to glance it in and, if he did, then he should have been flagged for offside.

YELLOW CARD! Mata goes into the book for a challenge from behind on Bojan, who was racing away from the Spaniard down the middle.

Fine defending from Bardsley as he deals with a very dangerous ball into the box under heavy pressure. Stoke can't afford to concede another goal here otherwise it could well be game over.

It was, in fact, Herrera who was shown the yellow card for that earlier challenge on Bojan. Mata had a word with the referee having kicked the ball away, but the caution was shown to Herrera.

United come forward again as Mata begins to pull the strings from midfield. He almost gets a chance to shoot from the edge of the box, but Stoke just about do enough to get rid of the danger and survive once again. They are under heavy pressure right now, though.

United have had 78% of the ball in this second half so far. They have dominated for long periods, but this has been their most threatening spell throughout the 90 minutes. They are looking capable of a third whenever they come forward right now.

SHOT! Stoke win a free kick in a good crossing position, but Bojan tries to catch De Gea out with a whipped effort towards the near post. However, he can't get his effort on target as he drags it wide of the mark.

CHANCE! Great play from Wilson as he bursts through the centre of defence, driving into the box and choosing to go alone despite having Van Persie in support. He can't be blamed for ignoring his teammate, but the youngster is unable to apply the finish to a fine run.

YELLOW CARD! Ireland becomes the latest player in the book for bringing down Wilson on the break. Some United fans want a red, but the referee makes the right decision in only flashing a yellow.

UPDATE: Things go from bad to worse for struggling Leicester, who have now been reduced to 10 men against Liverpool following a red card for Wes Morgan. They still trail 2-1 at the King Power.

SHOT! Good sight of goal for the hosts as Herrera wins the ball in midfield and drives forward before laying the ball off for Fellaini. The Belgian lines up his effort and hits it with plenty of power, but it is some way off target and doesn't trouble De Gea.

STOKE SUB: Hughes finally goes to his bench in search of an equaliser, bringing on Peter Crouch in place of Assaidi.

MAN UTD SUB: The hosts also make a change up front and it is another sub appearance of Radamel Falcao as he replaces Wilson.

Falcao is not far away from making an immediate impact here as he makes his way down the right and puts a good cross into the box, but the United sub cannot reach it.

Stoke look to be aiming for a similar tactic to the one that provided United with their opening goal, with Crouch peeling off to the back post for crosses into the box. However, they will get no joy like this as Bojan puts far too much on his delivery to see it sail out of play.

STOKE SUB: Another change for the visitors as Marko Arnautovic replaces Ireland for the final eight minutes plus any stoppage time.

UPDATE: Swansea have left it fairly late to get the job done against QPR, but goals from Ki and Routledge have given Garry Monk's side a 2-0 lead at the Liberty Stadium. Liverpool, meanwhile, have made it 3-1 against Leicester through Jordan Henderson.

MAN UTD SUB: The hosts make a change as Ander Herrera trots off to be replaced by Darren Fletcher for the closing stages.

United are content to let Stoke have more of the ball in these closing stages as they continue to deal with the attacking threat the visitors pose. The Potters have offered very little in an attacking sense tonight and they can have no complaints if they end up losing this game.

We will have at least four minutes of added time here at Old Trafford. Can United hold out for a fourth consecutive victory?

YELLOW CARD! Silly for Young as he dives into a challenge on Arnautovic, conceding a free kick in a good crossing position and being shown a yellow card too.

MAN UTD SUB: A third and final change for United late on as Adnan Januzaj replaces Mata.

WHAT A SAVE! Stoke are so close to grabbing an equaliser, but not for the first time this season De Gea comes to the rescue. Bojan's free kick is flicked on at the near post and Diouf reacts at the far post to turn it goalwards from close range, However, De Gea makes a huge save on the line to keep his side ahead.

OFF THE LINE! Incredible scenes late on here as Stoke again come within inches of getting the equaliser! First the ball drops to Arnautovic at the back post and, with space just yards from goal, he drives an effort at De Gea, who makes another superb stop. The rebound bounces to Diouf who turns it goalwards again, but this time Young is on the line to make the clearance. How on earth has that not gone in?!

My word, what a frantic end to the match that was! Stoke are still wondering just how they have not got something out of this game after those late chances, but it is United who come away with all three points having held on to a 2-1 lead. The hosts dominated for long periods but may consider themselves lucky to have won considering how the game finished, although they too missed a few really good chances throughout the 90 minutes.

Fellaini opened the scoring in the 21st minute with a towering header at the back post, but that lead was wiped out shortly before the break as Steven N'Zonzi lashed home an effort from the edge of the box. The debate will rage over who got the winning goal, with Mata's free kick perhaps getting the slightest of touches off Rojo, but the important thing is that it went in and was enough for United to claim the points. Diouf then saw two efforts stopped on the line from point-blank range in the dying stages, the second coming shortly after Arnautovic had also missed a sitter.

That is all we have time for tonight! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what was an entertaining clash at Old Trafford as United hang on for a 2-1 victory that takes them to within one point of third in the Premier League table. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!