TEAM NEWS: Wayne Rooney out of Manchester United clash with Stoke City

Sep 24, 2011

Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez start up front for the champions while Rio Ferdinand returns to the defence in place of Chris Smalling for Brittania Stadium fixture

Wayne Rooney will not feature for Manchester United against Stoke City as Dimitar Berbatovand Javier Hernandez start up front for the champions.

The England striker has been ruled out with a hamstring strain as injuries continue to hit United's front men, although Hernandez has been passed as fit after being substituted following a tackle by Ashley Cole last weekend.

Danny Welbeck could also return to action as he is included amongst the substitutes.

The other change to the side that beat Chelsea 3-1 at Old Trafford last weekend comes in defence, with Rio Ferdinand stepping in at centre-back as Phil Jones moves to the right-hand side. Chris Smalling drops out of the starting eleven.

Cameron Jerome and Dean Whitehead are replaced by Jermaine Pennant and Glenn Whelan following Stoke's 0-4 thrashing at the hands of Sunderland last weekend, with Jonathan Walters likely to partner Peter Crouch in attack.

Andy Wilkinson comes in to the defence at right-back in place of Robert Huth.

Stoke City: Begovic; Wilkinson, Shawcross, Woodgate, Wilson; Pennant, Whelan, Delap, Etherington; Crouch, Walters.

Subs: Sorensen, Huth, Upson, Shotton, Whitehead, Palacios, Jerome.

Manchester United: De Gea; Jones, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Nani, Anderson, Fletcher, Young; Hernandez, Berbatov.

Subs: Lindegaard, Fabio, Giggs, Park, Valencia, Owen, Welbeck.