Champions-elect Manchester United are eager to prove that they remain the team to beat in the Premier League as they travel to Stoke City this weekend.
With a 12-point lead over second-place Manchester City, United already seem assured of the title, but their 2-1 loss at home to their derby rivals on Monday brought an 18-match unbeaten run to an end.
City's victory at Old Trafford, secured with a glorious late goal from substitute Sergio Aguero, also suggested that United are not as imperious as their advantage at the table summit might suggest.
Manager Alex Ferguson has seen his side's form slump since they fell to Real Madrid in the Champions League, with defeat by Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals accompanied by a pair of limp league victories over Reading and Sunderland.
Stoke would appear to represent perfect cannon fodder, having slipped to within three points of the relegation places after a run of games in which they have picked up just five points from a possible 36.
However, United's visits to the Britannia Stadium since Tony Pulis' side returned to the top flight in 2008 have been keenly contested affairs, with last season's equivalent fixture ending in a 1-1 draw.
United left-back Patrice Evra says that his team will be "ready for the fight", and after the disappointment of defeat in the derby, he says Ferguson's side will not want for motivation.
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