The angry United boss blamed his side's wasteful finishing for last Saturday's 2-1 defeat at the hands of title rivals Arsenal, which left them eight points off the pace set by leaders Chelsea and Liverpool.
The champions carved out 18 chances at the Emirates Stadium last weekend but, despite having the combined attacking talents of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov all on the pitch, they could only find the net through substitute right-back Rafael.
Ferguson is expected to shuffle his pack for the visit of the Potters with Tevez likely to return to the starting line-up following his recent spell as a substitute.
The Argentine striker scored the penalty that secured a midweek Carling Cup win over QPR and could replace either Rooney or Berbatov.
Elsewhere, knee injury victims Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes remain absent, but Wes Brown could return to the squad after spraining his ankle in training last weekend and missing the Arsenal game.
But whichever team Ferguson sends out on Saturday will be expected to improve on a record which has seen the perennial title challengers pick up just four points from the last nine on offer.
Stoke will be hoping to follow up last weekend's strong defensive display in the goalless draw against Wigan Athletic with another backs-to-the-wall effort at Old Trafford.
Tony Pulis' side were well-drilled at the JJB Stadium as they picked up only their second away point of the season, but the Potters had Thomas Sorensen to thank as the Danish goalkeeper kept Wigan at bay with a string of second-half saves.
Those away fans travelling to Manchester will be hoping their side can repeat the heroics of beating Arsenal at the Britannia Stadium two weeks ago.
Tottenham, Sunderland and Aston Villa have also fallen foul of the 12th-placed Potters this season, while joint league leaders Liverpool were also held to a goalless draw in September.
However, Stoke have won on only one of their previous nine visits to Old Trafford and are regarded as long shots to improve on that record.
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