Manchester United will be desperate to return to winning ways when they take on Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
The 2023/24 Premier League season gets underway on Saturday with Gameweek 5 of the new campaign. Manchester City will kick things off in the latest round of fixtures before neighbours Manchester United bring an end to the action on Saturday with the game against Burnley at Turf Moor.
Burnley entered the 2023/24 season with hopes of avoiding an immediate drop to the EFL Championship after coasting to the title win last term. But the Clarets have struggled to make their mark thus far, managing only one point in four games thus far. That said, they have had tough fixtures to kick-start the campaign, with matches against Manchester City, Aston Villa, and Tottenham signalling a trial by fire.
On the other hand, Manchester United might be the most disappointing team in the Premier League thus far this season. While they are above Chelsea on the Premier League table, the Red Devils have left much to be desired. And they are currently on a three-match losing run, with Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Bayern Munich handing them damning defeats.
Burnley managed a 1-1 stalemate the last time they welcomed Manchester United to Turf Moor. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Burnley
Kompany Looks Ahead To Man Utd | PRESS | Burnley v Man Utd https://t.co/SL2pCGX2XY
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) September 21, 2023
Vincent Kompany has a new roster issue hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Manchester United on Saturday, the Burnley manager will be bereft of the services of four first-team players.
Lyle Foster is the latest absentee, with the 23-year-old beginning his three-match suspension. The South African forward has joined Darko Churlinov (health scare), Hjalmar Ekdal (knee), and Michael Obafemi (thigh) on the sidelines.
Kompany will line Burnley up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with James Trafford taking his spot between the sticks. Meanwhile, the defensive unit will feature Connor Roberts, Ameen Al-Dakhil, Dara O’Shea, and Charlie Taylor.
Kompany prefers a possession-based style, making the midfielders the most vital cog of his team. So, Josh Cullen and Josh Brownhill will look to overpower the Manchester United midfield, while Aaron Ramsey will pull the strings high up the pitch. Finally, Luca Koleosho and Anass Zaroury will be the two wide attackers, with Zeki Amdouni spearheading the attack on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Roberts, Al-Dakhil, O’Shea, Taylor; Cullen, Brownhill; Zaroury, Ramsey, Koleosho; Amdouni
Manchester United
Unlike his counterpart in the Burnley dugout, Erik ten Hag has greeted positive updates on the team news front ahead of the visit to Turf Moor. But the Manchester United manager will still be without a plethora of first-team players.
Raphael Varane and Mason Mount resumed training earlier this week and are closing in on their returns. Meanwhile, Sofyan Amrabat has overcome a back injury, while Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo also hope to be in contention.
But Luke Shaw (muscle injury), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (hamstring), and Amad Diallo (knee) remain on the sidelines. In addition, Jadon Sancho and Antony are unavailable for the foreseeable future due to their respective off-field issues.
— Amrabat, Maguire, Mount & Varane ℹ️
— Facing Burnley 🆚
— Remaining united 💪#MUFC || #PL— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 22, 2023
Andre Onana came under the scanner following his error-strewn performance against Bayern Munich. But Erik ten Hag continues to lend his support to the Cameroonian goalkeeper, who will take his spot between the sticks.
Manchester United will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of Onana, with Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez, and Sergio Reguilon being automatic picks. But Varane might return if he is fit enough to start. As for the midfield unit, Mount and Amrabat’s impending return is good news.
But Casemiro and Christian Eriksen should retain their partnership in the double pivot. Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes will reprise the no. 10 role, looking to pull the strings in the final third. Finally, Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund, and Facundo Pellistri should complete the offensive unit. But Alejandro Garnacho is an option if Pellistri does not get a long rope from the manager.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez, Reguilon; Casemiro, Eriksen; Pellistri, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
Key Stats
- Burnley have won two of the 16 Premier League meetings with Manchester United (D5 L9). But the Red Devils are unbeaten in their last seven top-flight visits to Turf Moor (W5 D2).
- Burnley have lost all three of their Premier League home games so far, conceding 11 goals in the process. They have never lost their opening four home league fixtures in a season.
- Manchester United have made their worst start to a season for 37 years, losing four of their opening six games in all competitions for the first time since 1986. They have lost their opening two away league fixtures for the first time since 1973/74, a season which ended in their relegation from the top flight.
- Manchester United have lost 18 of their past 35 away matches in all competitions (W13 D4). However, the Red Devils have won 17 of their previous 24 top-flight fixtures against newly-promoted opponents, including the most recent eight in a row.
- Burnley have failed to win in 13 Premier League matches in August and September since a 2-0 win over Norwich City in September 2019 (D4 L9).
Player to Watch
Andre Onana
The scoreline of the Bayern Munich game earlier this week flattered Manchester United, even though Casemiro deserves praise for his effort. But Andre Onana was the culprit for the defeat following his inexplicable howlers inside the box.
To his credit, the 27-year-old accepted sole blame for the defeat, which speaks a lot about his character. But Onana needs to start pulling his weight and winning games on his own, especially with Manchester United being so vulnerable. And the game against Burnley will be his first chance to make amends.
Prediction
Burnley 1-2 Manchester United
Burnley and Manchester United are two of the worst-performing teams in the Premier League. So, both clubs will view Saturday’s fixture as an opportunity to grab crucial three points. But their defensive frailties will ensure they will remain in the game until the final whistle.
The Clarters will be desperate to end their hoodoo in August and September. But Saturday might not be the day to end the frustrating run of winless results in the first two months. That is because Manchester United should finally grab an elusive win, with Rasmus Hojlund delivering the goods. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for Erik ten Hag and his charges.
