Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United travel to Stoke City this afternoon (3pm kick-off) hoping to keep the pressure on the Premier League’s top four.

The Red Devils saw their slim title hopes extinguished with a 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool last weekend, a result which saw them fall 12 points behind leaders Chelsea after their victory at Leicester the day before.

It means that United remain sixth in the table, and are now four points adrift of fourth place Arsenal with just 17 games to go.

The first of those remaining fixtures is at the bet365 Stadium today, where Mark Hughes’ Stoke will hope to build upon their two league wins in 2017.

The Potters comfortably beat Watford 2-0 on January 3 before beating struggling Sunderland 3-1 at the Stadium of Light last weekend to move into the top half of the table.

However, they’ll find it tough to get the better of a United side that are unbeaten in their last 12 league games, and in need of all three points to keep pace with the top four.

Thus, here are THREE reasons why Mourinho’s United will pick up the win this afternoon…

Unbeaten since October

Despite seeing their six-match winning run in the Premier League ended by Liverpool last weekend, United haven’t lost in the league since their 4-0 drubbing at Chelsea back in October.

Since then, Mourinho’s men have won seven and drawn five of their 12 league games, and have also won all four of their League and FA Cup ties in that time.

It’s a run which has put them back in contention for a top four place, although a few too many draws back in October and November has hindered their title challenge.

Nonetheless, the Red Devils know how to get results against all sorts of opponents, and that should stand them in good stead against a Stoke side that have improved in recent weeks.

Pogba will respond

Paul Pogba produced arguably his worst performance since returning to Manchester United for £89 million in the summer in the draw against Liverpool last weekend.

The French international got it all wrong when trying to clear James Milner’s corner, resulting in him handling the ball in the area, and allowing the former England midfielder to convert the penalty.

It wasn’t just the goal though, Pogba’s all round performance was severely lacking – he was sloppy in possession and missed a good chance in the first half, while he also didn’t control the midfield alongside Ander Herrera in the second half.

However, he will respond and bounce back, as his displays in recent months have been top drawer, suggesting the Liverpool game was a mere blip.

Pogba has regularly been one of United’s top performers in the last few months, and expect the 23-year-old to hit back with vengeance at the bet365 Stadium this afternoon.

Need win to keep pace with top four

United’s draw with Liverpool all but ended their fading title hopes, but now they must turn their attentions to getting back into the Champions League.

Thus, they need to get the three points this afternoon.

Mourinho’s men are four points adrift of Arsenal in fourth, who themselves are just a point behind second place Tottenham, so it’s all quite tight and a few wins here and there would put you in the mix.

Spurs go to fifth place Manchester City on Saturday, so at least one of United’s rivals will drop points.

Nonetheless, it’s up to Mourinho’s side to do their bit by winning at Stoke and keeping pace with the top four.