It’s time for David Moyes to really try and see what his team is capable of. United came away from the Potteries with a 2-0 victory in the Carling Cup in conditions that were not fantastic back in December.
The squad was depleted and the rain was lashing down; now they have players back in contention that can make a real difference, it must surely be time to let them cut loose against a Stoke team without a win in 6 Premier League games.
The Big 5
Rooney and Van Persie have rarely featured together this season, but both seem to have recovered sufficiently to be able to start. Juan Mata will hopefully line up behind them, with Fletcher as the holding midfielder.
Young is in good form and may keep his place at the expense of Valencia who lacks the purpose and drive that Young is currently displaying. Januzaj should return to the fold too and United fans will find the prospect of these five attacking players combining for the first time this season very appealing.
Drop the Caution
It’s time for Moyes to drop his traditional cautious approach and see what can be achieved by allowing as much creative talent as possible to be on the pitch at one time. It’s a game against Stoke who have mustered just 22 goals in 23 league games. Only Crystal Palace, Norwich and Cardiff have managed less.
If it was the visit of Man City or a trip to the Emirates, an amount of caution might be recommended, but now is the time for David Moyes to show what he is made of. No more excuses, injuries are no longer the cause for concern, he has Mata now too, and Moyes needs to deliver for the rest of the season. This starts with a trip to Stoke.
