Stoke City will be hoping to inflict more misery on Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal on Boxing Day as the Potters look to return to winning ways.

United's last win came at Watford more than a month ago in which time Stoke have recorded three victories, including a 2-0 triumph against Manchester City earlier this month.

However, the Potters have failed to win either of their two games since and will be eager to return to winning ways against Louis van Gaal's side.

Head-to-head

Stoke have beaten Manchester United just once in the league since 1984, with Charlie Adam's winner in Stoke's 2-1 victory in 2014 their solidarity win.

However, the Potters are unbeaten in their two home games against the Red Devils since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013 - winning 2-1 in February 2014 and drawing 1-1 last season.

Stoke strong but not invincible at the Britannia

Once famed for their reliance on results at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke have, however, earned the same number of away wins in the Premier League as they have had home victories this season.

They have been strong on home soil but not invincible like in previous seasons. The Potters did lose their last game at the Britannia to a late Crystal Palace strike, but had won the previous three matches including wins over Manchester City and ChelseaMark Hughes would definitely like to add Manchester United to that list.

Stoke celebrate after beating Chelsea in the League Cup at the Britannia Stadium. (Image: Getty Images)

Stoke's home form, though, is reminiscent of the Potter's season so far: mixed. Their progress has slowed in recent weeks as they followed a run of five victories from seven league matches, with one win in their last four. In their last six games, they have lost at lowly Sunderland, beaten high-flying Manchester City, before slipping to a late defeat against Crystal Palace last weekend.

One win in their last four games has seen Mark Hughes' men slip to 11th, but they are only six points adrift of United in fifth.

Mark Hughes faces his former club

Hughes will be plotting the downfall of his former club for the 21st time as a manager and with his fifth different club. However, he has not enjoyed facing his old club; winning just three times, drawing five and losing 12.

The Stoke boss referred to a 'United way' when asked about the pressure at his former club, where the supporters demand entertaining football. It is no coincidence that Hughes has transformed Stoke's style of play and people's perceptions of the Potters.

Mark Hughes has taken the team away from the style that became so famous under Tony Pulis and replacing it with a free-flowing brand of attacking football. The attacking trio of Marko Arnautovic, Bojan Krkic and Xherdan Shaqiri were in fine form when Stoke beat Manchester City earlier this month.

Marko Arnautovic celebrates after scoring two against Manchester City. (Image: Reuters)

However, despite their talent, they are the joint-lowest scorers in the top-flight, finding the net on only 14 occasions this season. However, they did have 26 shots against Crystal Palace last weekend, but only scored one goal, and they have scored in 20 of their last 23 games in all competitions at the Britannia.

Hughes will not be the only former United player at the Britannia Stadium. Defenders Ryan Shawcross and Phil Bardsley along with striker Mame Biram Diouf have all spent time at Old Trafford.

The opposition

Manchester United will no doubt be determined to give supporters some festive cheer in what has been touted as a "must-win game" for Louis van Gaal as speculation intensifies over his Manchester United future.

United have won just three times in their last 13 matches and failed to win any of their last six matches in all competitions, a run which has seen them exit the Champions League and slump to fifth place in the table.

In fact, it is United's worst winless run in a single season since December 1998, the campaign in which they went on to win an historic treble. If they do not claim a victory on Saturday, it will be their longest winless run in all competitions since an eight-match streak between December 1989 and January 1990.

A fourth straight defeat at the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day would definitely heap even more pressure on van Gaal.

Louis van Gaal is believed to have two games to save his job at Manchester United. (Image: Getty Images)

Team news

Stoke are still without Geoff Cameron with a hamstring injury, while Peter Crouch has not returned to full fitness in time following a similar injury. Marc Muniesa and Stephen Ireland are long-term absentees, but Ireland could return shortly in the New Year.

Manchester United will be without suspended midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger as well as Matteo Darmain and Jesse Lingard (both hamstring). Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw are also unavailable for selection.

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About the author
Adam Bailey
Everton editor, who also covers cycling and athletics.