Manchester United vs Stoke City LIVE: Premier League latest!

Hello and welcome to The Independent's live coverage for Manchester United's Premier League game with Stoke City.

Among those watching on tonight will be Stoke's new manager Paul Lambert, who will be in the stands before taking the reins fully on Tuesday.

Another interested onlooker will be Alexis Sanchez, who is nearing a £35m move to Old Trafford this week - unless City revive their interest.

Stick around as we bring you all the build-up from tonight's game.

Team news

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Paul Lambert will not be on the touch line for Stoke after taking the job today. Instead Eddie Niedzwiecki has been preparing the team all week and will be the man in charge at Old Trafford.Here’s what the Stoke owners have said about their new manager.Peter Coates: “Paul greatly impressed us with his knowledge of our squad and had a clear plan of how he would improve our results. “He’s a man who backed himself as a player, none more so than when he turned down contract offers in Scotland to go on trial in the German Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund, and it’s obvious he adopts the same approach as a manager.” John Coates added: “Paul has been successful in management at clubs with a strong and stable background and with local ownership – the kind of foundation we are able to give to our managers. “We were determined to appoint someone with Premier League experience or an extensive knowledge of English football. We look forward to working with Paul and supporting him to help achieve our goals.”

Here’s how the sides line up this evening:Man Utd XIDe Gea; Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Shaw; Matic, Pogba, Mata; Lingard, Martial, Lukaku. Stoke City XIButland; Bauer, Zouma, Martins-Indi, Tymon; Fletcher, Allen; Shaqiri, Ireland, Choupo-Moting; Crouch.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not in the Manchester United squad this evening because Jose Mourinho says he is not in the right frame or mind to play, according to Sky Sports. Could he be a part of the Alexis Sanchez deal?

Here's the latest from The Independent's chief football writer Miguel Delaney on the move.

"Manchester United and Arsenal are still sorting details of the prospective transfer of Alexis Sanchez, as it has yet to be decided whether the Old Trafford club will pay the full £35m fee or send Henrikh Mkhitaryan to the Emirates in a part-exchange.

"While it is now almost certain that the Chilean will go to United due to Manchester City's refusal to up their offer, Mkhitaryan is not yet as keen to go to Arsenal. There remains a considerable difference in positions on his weekly wage, and the Armenian is also understood to prefer a return to Borussia Dortmund if he is to eventually leave Old Trafford, while Arsenal themselves are looking at Malcolm of Bordeaux.

"Arsene Wenger has also had a long-term interest in Anthony Martial, but United sources say the club would not even entertain the idea of sanctioning his departure. If a deal for Mkhitaryan cannot be done, United will pay the full £35m fee for Sanchez."

Team News

Manchester United's Antonio Valancia and Anthony Martial recover from knocks and start. Romelu Lukaku returns to the starting eleven after being rested for the FA Cup win against Derby. 

Stoke make a total of seven changes to their team. Peter Crouch starts along with Eric Choupo-Moting and Darren Fletcher who also returns to the side. 

Luke Shaw feeling the best he ever has

Luke Shaw is in his fourth season and Old Trafford but his time there has not been a straightforward ride.

In the Manchester United programme he said he is feeling in his best condition ever.

"A bad injury like I had always stays with you a little bit afterwards but it’s in the past and I feel really good and really fit, and my leg feels perfect," he added. "Body-wise and fitness-wise I probably feel the best I’ve ever felt. Mentally I feel very strong as well and I’m enjoying my football, and it’s now about pushing on and helping the team."

Luke Shaw - United Review

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Earlier this season...

When these sides first met this season the points were shared at the Bet365 Stadium Eric Choupo-Moting scored a brace either side of Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku's goal in the 2-2 draw. 

On this day in 2014, Nemanja Matic rejoined Chelsea for around £21. Since then he's won two Premier League titles and a League Cup and reunited with Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.

The players are on the pitch. Follow us for minute-by-minute updates from Old Trafford where Manchester United host Stoke in the final round of Premier League fixtures this weekend.