Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Stoke City and Manchester United.

This match may be between ninth versus sixth but that does not tell the whole story. Stoke have achieved their mid-table position in the table after a disappointing start to the campaign, while United are unbeaten in their last 12 outings in the Premier League. Stoke may not be enjoying the same kind of run as United but make no mistake about it, this contest is between two clubs who firmly believe that they will run out victors in Staffordshire.

Before we continue the build-up to this match, I have to point you in the direction of our live coverage of the encounter between Liverpool and Swansea City at Anfield. On paper, it looked a certain win for the Merseyside giants but with 10 minutes remaining, Swansea lead 3-2! Click here to following the closing stages.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the teams which have been selected by Mark Hughes and Jose Mourinho.

STOKE CITY XI: Grant; Johnson, Shawcross, M. Indi, Pieters; Adam, Whelan; Shaqiri, Allen, Arnautovic; Crouch

STOKE CITY SUBSTITUTES: Given; Bardsley, Muniesa, Afellay, Imbula, Bojan, Ngoy

MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Blind; Fellaini, Herrera, Mata; Pogba, Mkhitaryan, Ibrahimovic

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Romero, Darmian, Carrick, Schweinsteiger, Lingard, Rashford, Rooney

Let's start with United, who have made four alterations to the team which secured a 1-1 draw with Liverpool last weekend. Mourinho has opted to make two changes to his backline, with Daley Blind and Chris Smalling coming in for Matteo Darmian and Marcos Rojo, while Marouane Fellaini takes the place of Michael Carrick. There is also a start for Juan Mata, who gets the nod over Anthony Martial. Wayne Rooney remains on the substitutes' bench.

As for Stoke, Hughes has decided to make no changes to his team after they ran out 3-1 winners at Sunderland in their last outing. That means that Peter Crouch gets the opportunity to try to score his 100th goal in the Premier League against the division's most successful side. Bojan is named on the bench, despite being linked with an exit from the Potters.

RESULT! The full-time whistle goes at Anfield and Swansea City have done it - they have beaten Liverpool on Merseyside for the first time in their history! It's a phenomenal triumph for Paul Clement's side and they now move outside of the relegation zone ahead of the remainder of this week's game. Click here to read our on-the-whistle report.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's match represents the 106th time in which these two teams have met in a competitive fixture, with Stoke claiming 28 victories compared to 43 triumphs for United. There was a time when United were reeling off a long run of wins against Stoke but that has changed over the last six contests, with Stoke and United both recording two wins apiece.

This man is at the Britannia this afternoon after completing his long-awaited move to Stoke, but after signing after Friday's 12pm deadline, he is unable to take a place in the squad today.

🔴⚪️🔴⚪️🔴@SBerahino is here, be in the stadium for 2:45pm... the man wants to say hello.#SCFC pic.twitter.com/EUGgCdCiEG — Stoke City FC (@stokecity) 21 January 2017

That defeat for Liverpool has really let in their rivals for a top-four place. Arsenal and Manchester City are the only two teams who can progress past the Reds or at the very least, move to the same points total, but their setback also gives United the chance to close the gap to two points. Click here to take a look at the standings before today's games get underway.

We mentioned earlier in the build-up that Crouch could net his 100th goal in the Premier League this afternoon but the veteran forward certainly hasn't had it easy over the past 18 months. Up until the Christmas period, he had barely featured in the top flight for over a year and his chances of reaching three figures looked remote, but three goals in as many games has taken him to the brink of the milestone. He's also signed a new one-year contract with the Potters, so you'd expect him to join a star-studded list of names sooner rather than later.

Crouch isn't the only veteran forward to do the business this season. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is just nine months younger than Crouch but he the main reason why United are still in contention for a top-four position this season. The Swede has scored 14 top flight goals this season, including the equaliser in the 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool last weekend. He has played far more many games than Crouch but he still looks as fresh, which is credit to himself, the club and his own personal fitness staff.

PREDICTION! Stoke got the better of United in front of their own fans last season but while we are expecting a hotly-contested tussle, we think United are going to edge this one. Ibrahimovic is the danger man but Paul Pogba will be aware that he needs a match-winning performance to atone for his error that led to Liverpool's goal last week. United to prevail by a 3-1 scoreline.

This match is the second of three live Premier League games which we have for you today. Shortly after the conclusion of this match, Manchester City will host Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. I think United will be hoping for a draw in that one.

It's time for the two sides to make their way out at the Britannia Stadium. It's a chilly day in Staffordshire but I expect it to be fairly heated on the pitch. There's always plenty of tackles in games featuring these two clubs.

We are underway in the Potteries.

As expected, it has been a competitive start with both teams not being shy in making a tackle. There haven't been any chances so far but I'm sure that won't be the case for too much longer.

BOOKING! Here's the first booking of the match and I'm sure it won't be the last. Arnautovic's name is taken by the referee after hauling down Herrera. The Serbian will be walking a tightrope from here.

United are really working Arnautovic in the defensive areas of the pitch. They understand his importance to Stoke and they want to force him into another mistake. On this occasion, the winger successfully challenged Valencia but there are going to be times in this match where he doesn't come out on top in those kind of battles.

Stoke have had the better of the last few minutes, although they are still to create an opening on goal. They almost won a corner through Crouch, while a free kick into the area evaded everyone. It doesn't sound so positive, but it's better than they did in the opening 10 minutes.

The selection of Fellaini caught many by surprise but you can see why Mourinho picked him now. He is physically dominating both Whelan and Adam, and it is providing United with a certain amount of control. Blind, who has also been recalled today, just got to the byline before crossing for the back post but no-one was there.

Stoke lead against the run of play but Mata is desperately unfortunate. Arnautovic and Pieters combined down the left before the full-back attempted to cross the ball into the box. However, it got a deflection off the Spaniard, wrong-footed De Gea and went into the net.

In all fairness to United, they have responded positively to falling behind but they are still to test Grant in the Stoke goal. They don't deserve to be behind but they have work to do here.

United are taking a very calculated approach to trying to get back into this game. A slow build-up in the midfield is being met by a burst of pace in the final third but Stoke look comfortable at the moment. It probably won't continue that way but Stoke are still, just about, second best.

CHANCE! United finally get a shot on the Stoke goal as Mata provides an excellent cross from the right for Fellaini to meet by the penalty spot. The midfielder gets above the defender but he directs his effort too close to Grant.

Grant is being called into action on a regular basis now. No more shots from United but the long balls and crosses are starting to come, and the goalkeeper is having to punch a number of them clear. Stoke will be satisfied with this opening half hour, though.

CHANCE! It's not Mata's afternoon. Pogba releases Ibrahimovic and the Swede has the option of shooting across goal or passing to Mata. He decides to pass to the Spaniard but he misses the target from inside the six-yard box. There's absolutely no doubting that it should be 1-1.

Pogba is starting to become an influential figure in midfield now - he's playing much better than last weekend. That said, United have failed to make the most of the possession they are having and Stoke appear to have seen off the danger for now.

CHANCE! Ibrahimovic finds himself in a similar position in the penalty area as he was a few minutes ago, but again, he decides to try to pass to Mata. He was correct to pass the last time but here, he should rifle a shot on goal. He doesn't, and the pass is blocked.

CHANCE! From the resulting corner, the ball is over-hit to the back post but it is soon returned towards Smalling, who heads over the bar from around eight yards.

CHANCE! This is an onslaught from United. Valencia receives the ball in the penalty area before laying it off to Mkhitaryan. The Armenian playmaker should at least hit the target but he curls over the bar from around 16 yards out.

SHOT! Shaqiri just attempted a long-range effort from 25 yards but it was never threatened the bottom corner. That was Stoke's first effort on goal, yet they still lead.

SAVES! United are really building a head of steam and Stoke will do well to make it to half time still on level terms. A cross into the box finds Fellaini, who sees Grant tip his volley over the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Pogba does the same but with much more venom, yet his effort is straight at Grant and it's a fine reaction save.

There will be one minute of added-on time.

The half-time whistle goes at the Britannia Stadium and somehow, Stoke remain ahead courtesy of that Mata own goal. However, it has been all United and I'm not quite sure how they haven't equalised. Much work to do for both managers at the break.

United get us back underway.

I'm expecting more of the same in this half. United have done very little wrong. It's only because of their wayward finishing that they are behind in this contest and it's Stoke who are going to have to improve to get a result. United have had the better of the opening stages of the second period.

United are doing a good job of pressing Stoke back into their own final third. I imagine that is where they will be staying for the foreseeable future. They win a couple of free kicks in a threatening area but Stoke defend them well.

SHOT! Remember the goal Crouch scored against Manchester City? He's just tried a similar effort here but he a few yards off target. He hasn't really featured in this game.

Much better from Stoke, who finally enjoy some possession in the United half and come close to creating a chance but as soon as they lose the ball, Mkhitaryan storms forward before bringing Mata and Ibrahimovic into play, who can't fashion a change.

SUBSTITUTION! Interesting change from Mourinho, who opts to introduce Rashford for Fellaini. The midfielder has probably been one of United's best players so I am surprised to see him withdrawn.

United have loud appeals for a penalty after the ball strikes the hand of Pieters, but it would have been harsh on the defender. It caught his flailing arm rather than him putting his arm in the direction of the ball.

BOOKING! Very good decision from the referee, who books Pieters for diving after trying to buy a foul out of two United players.

SHOT! Shaqiri is known for a wonder goal or two and he forces De Gea into a decent save to his left from 25 yards. Just before that, Shawcross deliberately blocked Rashford on the edge of the penalty area but the referee gave nothing. It's a free kick and a yellow card if the referee is doing his job there.

SUBSTITUTION! It's time for Wayne Rooney, who replaces Mata. It's a bit of a surprise that Mata has lasted this long.

The pressure continues to come from United but they are struggling to create another chance on Grant's goal. The opportunities are surely coming but so far, Stoke are holding firm.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Mourinho makes his final change with Jesse Lingard replacing Mkhitaryan. As for Stoke, Bgoy is on for Shaqiri.

CHANCE! A cross from Rooeny found its way to Rashford on the edge of the penalty area but despite having time to set himself, he sends his curling effort two yards wide of the target. A difficult chance but one he should be doing better with.

CHANCE! Rooney has made an impact in this match since his introduction but he should be hitting the target on this occasion. He was provided with the chance to head on goal from six yards but it went over the crossbar.

While Stoke have spent much of this game on the back foot, they still look a threat on the break and Pieters comes close to finding Crouch at the back post, only for a defender to get back and clear for a corner.

SHOT! There are some tired legs in the Stoke midfield and Pogba tries to take advantae by taking the ball past a couple of them. However, his final shot is weak and straight at Grant.

WOODWORK! United come so close to an equaliser! Lingard turned towards goal from around 25 yards out before lashing an excellent strike towards the top corner. Unfortunately for the midfielder, his effort struck the crossbar and went over.

There will be five minutes of added-on time.

Stoke have three minutes to hang on. United deserve at least a draw but time is running out...

A sharp turn from Rashford earns United a free kick to the side of the penalty area. Big chance here...

What an end to this game! Rooney steps up to fire the ball into the top corner of the net when everyone thought he was going to cross. It's an outrageous effort to break Sir Bobby Charlton's long-standing goalscoring record. It's harsh on Stoke but United have got what they deserve from this match.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and be sure to keep a look out for all of the reaction to Rooney's historic goal. Goodbye for now.