Rooney and Ferdinand missing from United starting line-up

Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand were missing from the Manchester United starting line-up for tonight’s Premier League encounter with Stoke.

Rooney suffered an ankle injury in the New Year’s Day clash with West Brom and was replaced by Javier Hernandez, who scored the winner, whilst Ferdinand was rested in favour of Chris Smalling.

United were looking to move three points clear at the top of the table and have recorded five straight wins against Tony Pulis’ men, who had Robert Huth available again after suspension.

Man Utd: Kuszczak, Rafael Da Silva, Vidic, Smalling, Evra, Nani, Gibson, Fletcher, Giggs, Berbatov, Hernandez. Subs: Amos, Owen, Anderson, Carrick, Fabio Da Silva, Evans, Obertan.

Stoke: Begovic, Wilkinson, Huth, Shawcross, Collins, Sanli, Wilson, Whitehead, Delap, Etherington, Jones. Subs: Sorensen, Higginbotham, Pennant, Fuller, Walters, Pugh, Whelan.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)