This is going to be a really good gauge for Manchester United fans, as to how much the team has improved of late, if at all.
If the Derby match hinted at renewed confidence and better form the Stoke game in midweek at Old Trafford strongly implied that yet another corner had been turned.
You can almost imagine that the Manchester United players are now ignoring Louis van Gaal’s stodgy tactics and simply playing how they want. Having viewed every game this season – it’s been dreadfully tedious for large swathes – United were actually worth watching again on Tuesday.
They got the ball forward quickly and used the wide areas to good effect. Martial’s goal was the end product to possibly United’s best move of the campaign.
In general, Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney were at their sharpest all season. Michael Carrick brought class and forward passing to the midfield.
And if Louis dares to put Mata back to his ineffectual role on the right again, after two brilliant games where he belongs at number 10, then we will simply give up watching.
Mata isn’t a winger. He slows the team down out there and makes the game more narrow because he always cuts inside.
Jesse Lingard is far from our favourite player. But at least he uses the width of the park. We would still play Memphis there every day of every week. But at least Lingard is more suited to the role than the Spaniard.
With Mata in the middle, Manchester United have clicked.
With all this in mind, here is our predicted XI for what should be a good game between two hitherto struggling giants. And Manchester United desperately need the win.
