Manchester United visit Stoke on Saturday (3pm kick-off) looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho’s side saw their slim title chances all but end last weekend when they drew 1-1 at home to Liverpool, a result which saw them fall 12 points behind league leader Chelsea following their win at champions Leicester.

It also meant that United’s excellent nine-match winning run in all competitions came to an end, but they also extended their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to 12 games, with their last defeat coming away at Chelsea on October 23.

Nonetheless, it now looks like Mourinho’s men will be in a battle for a top four place as opposed to the title, given that they are four points adrift of Arsenal in fourth, and two points behind neighbours Manchester City in fifth.

They travel to Mark Hughes’ Stoke on Saturday searching for a seventh away win of the campaign, but they’ll find it tough against a Potters side that have won both of their league games in 2017.

Hughes’ men beat Watford 2-0 and then comfortably got past Sunderland 3-1 at the Stadium of Light last time out, so Mourinho knows that his side will have to be at their best to get the three points.

With the second leg of their League Cup semi-final coming up against Hull next week, the United boss may make some changes to his side, so here are THREE players that deserve a chance against Stoke…

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney is just one goal away from beating Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 249 goals for Manchester United, and he could do it against Stoke on Saturday.

The England captain changed the game when he came on for Michael Carrick in the draw with Liverpool last weekend, giving United a greater outlet going forward and slightly more control of the midfield battle.

Stoke haven’t lost at home since November, so United will need their best players performing at their best to get a result – based on Rooney’s efforts last week, it could mean that he is due a start.

Juan Mata

Stoke defensively have been much better in recent weeks, keeping a clean sheet against Watford before conceding just the one against Sunderland.

However, as both Liverpool and Chelsea exploited at the end of 2016, there are vulnerabilities in that backline, and who better to try and exploit those than playmaker Juan Mata.

The Spanish international has scored four and laid on two assists in 16 league games this season, and has been used sparingly in the Premier League in recent weeks, so should be fresh for Saturday’s clash at the bet365 Stadium.

In what is a game United really need to win, Mata could be the difference to unlocking that Stoke defence, just like he did against West Ham a few weeks ago.

Marcus Rashford

Like Mata, Marcus Rashford made a huge difference in United’s last Premier League away game at West Ham, and has since then got back in amongst the goals with a brace against Reading.

Thus, the England international could be set to make his ninth league start of the campaign at Stoke on Saturday.

The 19-year-old has looked sharper and more inclined to run at defenders in recent weeks, no doubt a result of his contributions against West Ham and Reading, so Mourinho should consider using him to get at the Stoke defence.

Like most sides in the Premier League this season, Stoke have showed a vulnerability against pace, so Rashford could be the ideal man to inspire United to victory on Saturday.