"If the newspaper reports are accurate then Manchester United's match at Stoke could be Louis van Gaal's last as their manager.

"There appear to be three scenarios if he departs; Jose Mourinho takes over, Ryan Giggs succeeds Van Gaal or an interim manager is appointed, possibly Giggs, with Pep Guardiola taking the helm in the summer.

"Few scribes offer encouragement for the Dutchman. It's not simply about United's recent poor results but the manner of them. Even Stoke boss Mark Hughes recently referred to a "United way" that demands entertainment at its core.

"It's no coincidence that Hughes has transformed Stoke's methods, typified by the stylish way they saw off Manchester City earlier this month.

"While Hughes will be keen for his side to replicate that performance, Van Gaal won't want to lie down either, which all points to a fascinating start to the Boxing Day programme."

Stoke: Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters; Cameron, Whelan; Shaqiri, Krkic, Afellay; Arnautovic.

Subs: Joselu, Wilson, van Ginkel, Adam, Diouf, Walters, Haugaard.

Man Utd: De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Blind, Young; Carrick, Ander Herrera; Mata, Fellaini, Depay; Martial.

Subs: Rooney, Romero, Schneiderlin, Varela, McNair, Borthwick-Jackson, Andreas Pereira.

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)