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3 Key Battles That Will Decide Manchester United’s Fate On Boxing Day Against Stoke City

2. Jack Butland v Anthony Martial

Martial

Despite conceding a late winner last week against Crystal Palace, the Stoke goalkeeper has been in impressive form of late, keeping a clean sheet in six of the last eight games. On the other hand, young Frenchman Anthony Martial has shown signs of being a world class centre forward, but he has been deployed on the wings way too many times. Martial has 7 goals this season, and if Van Gaal decides to use him upfront, it will be an interesting battle.

3. Marko Arnautovic v Chris Smalling

Smalling

Marko Arnautovic is one tricky forward and has quite a few tricks up his sleeve. Chris Smalling, who has been United’s best defender so far but has had a poor game or two recently, will have his hands full if the Austrian is in the mood. The combination of Bojan, Shaqiri and Arnautovic up front can be lethal if they click, and with United coming off the back of two successive league defeats, the onus is on Stoke to make the most of the opportunity.

 

Written by Abhranil Roy

A thinker,thus a cynic.

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