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Stoke boss Mark Hughes issues Manchester United with three-loss warning
MARK HUGHES says Manchester United can afford to lose only three more games if they want to hold on to their Premier League title.
Hughes, who won two titles as a United player, takes his Stoke side to Old Trafford tomorrow.
West Brom have already won at Old Trafford and Southampton forced a draw there and Hughes says:
“I think Manchester United will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season for the title.
“But you have to be careful. There are only a certain amount of games you can lose. Five or six enables you to still be in the title race.
“Lose any more than six then you make it very difficult for yourself, nigh on impossible. They have lost three at the moment. They can't afford many more slip ups.
“Maybe United are a little bit vulnerable but invariably when people question Manchester United they come back with the answers.”
Liverpool, Manchester City and the Baggies have beaten United in the league leaving them eighth in David Moyes’ first season in charge.
Moyes has totally changed the backroom staff as well, bringing in his own men, and Hughes said:
“Some players deal with change easier than others. Some need the continuity of the same faces and when change is taking place sometimes some players don't react particularly well to that and feel a little bit uncomfortable.
“I am not privy to what is going on. I am just surmising. Maybe that is an issue but you soon get over it and even a manager of the greatness of Sir Alex Ferguson, when they leave players move onto the next one very quickly and work hard for the incumbent.
“This is just a small period in Manchester United’s current history that they will get over. They will be fine I am sure.”
Hughes, like Moyes, is only at the start of his managerial career with a new club and he needs the boost of a win at Stoke.
The Potters have dropped down the table and not scored in their last three games.
“We have been working on it since the beginning of the season ,” said Hughes.
“ I would be more concerned if we weren't creating chances. That is the key to it. We have had good opportunities in almost every game we have played. We haven't taken the vast majority of them.”
Stoke have concerns over defenders Geoff Cameron,who is recovering from injury, and Ryan Shawcross, who has been ill. Decisions will be taken on both tomorrow.