Manchester United will be looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they play host to newly-promoted Burnley.
With nine games played in the 2016/17 season, Jose Mourinho finds his side in an unfamiliar seventh position on the table. After making a foray of signings in the summer and breaking the transfer record, this was definitely not the response the Old Trafford faithful expected from their team.
Things began relatively well for United as they won their first three games of the new season. Last season, the Red Devils were criticised for playing a slow and boring brand of football, and it seemed Mourinho had turned it around at Old Trafford.
But once the international break kicked in, they seemed to lose momentum and signs of the United of old began to appear. The players struggled to create chances, and even a potent striker such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic began to struggle.
The Red Devils’ struggles went up a notch when they were humbled 4-0 against Jose Mourinho’s former side Chelsea. At a place he once called home, the Portuguese coach failed to replicate his successes and saw his side pay the price.
However, there are plenty of positives to take going into this weekend as they beat Manchester City in mid-week, albeit in the EFL Cup. It was a much needed win for a side that was struggling to maintain its identity. It will also lift the spirits in the dressing room and will give the players an added incentive to go out and perform on Saturday.
Standing in their way will be a Burnley side that have performed beyond expectations in their return to England’s top flight. Sean Dyche has efficiently taken charge of the Clarets and made them play an impressive brand of defending football to get the job done.
Their standout result of the season would probably be the 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Turf Moor. An attacking Jurgen Klopp side was put to the sword by an organised and adept Burnley side. In fact, the Clarets are the only team to have beaten Liverpool this season in all competitions.
Another solid performance is expected from a Burnley team that sit in 14th position on the league table. A win at Old Trafford on Sunday could see them make giant leaps in the standings and they could find themselves in the top half of the table if results elsewhere go in their favour.
Probable Lineups
In goal, David de Gea is arguably one of only few Manchester United players who are guaranteed starters in Mourinho’s plans. But with just three clean sheets in nine games, many would be hoping to see a better performance from the United number one who recently shipped in four goals against Chelsea.
Defensively, the absence of Eric Bailly and the torrid showing of Chris Smalling against Chelsea could see Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo form an unlikely left-footed pairing at centre-back. The duo started in the cup game against City in mid-week and gave striker Kelechi Iheanacho a run for his money. Luke Shaw is expected to start on the left side of defence while Antonio Valencia will take up his station down the right for Mourinho’s side.
With Michael Carrick playing the cup tie against City, given his age, it is unlikely that he will be given the onus to pull the strings in the middle of the park for the second time in four days. Instead, Ander Herrera will be deployed as the midfield anchor – giving Paul Pogba the freedom to make things tick for the Red Devils.
Juan Mata is likely to start in the hole in-behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic with Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard on the wings.
For the visitors, it will be a homecoming for number one Tom Heaton. The Englishman spent eight years at Old Trafford, but never quite managed to make it into the first team. He has been one of the league’s top performers and has also made the most saves this season.
Burnley’s defence has been equally solid this term and has helped Heaton in keeping two shutouts. Former United academy graduate Micheal Keane along with Ben Mee have impressed their critics this season and are set to start in the heart of defence for Burnley.
Moving further up the pitch, Michael Kightly will be looking to make only his second start of the new season. The former Stoke City and Wolves winger had been battling an injury since the start of the campaign, but managed to play 73 minutes in his side’s 2-1 win over Everton.
Andre Gray can finally look back on his five-game suspension and will be playing up his chances of finding the better of a United defence that has struggled recently. He will be joined by Sam Vokes and the two strikers will form a two-man attack against the thirteen-time Premier League champions.
Stats
- Burnley have conceded at least 3 goals in each of their last 3 away matches in the Premier League.
- Manchester United have lost just once in their last 12 home matches, when they were defeated 2-1.
- September 1962 was the last time the Clarets managed to come away from Old Trafford with maximum points.
- Chris Smalling’s only brace for the Red Devils came against Burnley with his side winning the game 3-1.
- This could be Manchester United’s 100th Premier League victory over a newly-promoted side. (P143 W99 D30 L14)
Betting Tips
Man United vs Burnley
Favourable Bets:
1. Manchester United Over 0.5 Cards @ 1.44
Underdog Bets:
1. Zlatan to score 2 or more @ 4.00
Prediction
Manchester United 2-0 Burnley
It’s hard to look past a Manchester United win regardless of their current form in the league. The Red Devils picked it up against a relatively weakened Man City side in mid-week, but managed to keep a rare clean sheet. Burnley’s strikers have not been in the best of form this season and could struggle to find a way past David de Gea.
