Club football returns after over a month, and Manchester United will entertain Burnley in the Carabao Cup Round of 16 at Old Trafford.
Manchester United will welcome Burnley amidst an unprecedented ambience as several first-team players are unlikely to be involved. The recently concluded 2022 FIFA World Cup saw a number of Manchester United players featuring pretty deep into the later stages. And they will be required some time off to get back to match fitness.
The Red Devils entered the World Cup break after a victory over Fulham in the Premier League, as Alejandro Garnacho secured a late winner which prompted them an entry into the top five.
Burnley have been involved in Championship matches as they eased past both QPR and Middlesbrough, bagging three goals in each game. The Clarets are topping the second division table currently, and they are unlikely to push much in this particular competition as their sole aim is to book a place in next season’s Premier League.
The Red Devils will be playing in front of a reduced capacity due to a strike by the NHS workers as only 62,000 people will be present at the stadium on Wednesday. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News and Tactics
Manchester United
Martin Dubravka was involved in the victory against Aston Villa in the third round, and the Newcastle United loanee will further take his place between the goal. Both Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez took part in the World Cup final, with the latter running away with title following Argentina’s win in the penalty shootout.
Two fine representatives of Manchester United on world football’s grandest stage pic.twitter.com/G5LykP6QiI
— Jonas Hen Shrag (@JonathanShrager) December 18, 2022
They both will not be taking a part in the game certainly. So Harry Maguire might have to force himself on the pitch, with Victor Lindelof destined to be his partner in the backline. Diogo Dalot is dealing with an injury issue. So it could be a rare appearance for Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right-hand side of the defence. Tyrell Malacia should be available, and he should start at left back.
Christian Eriksen’s Denmark did not get past the group stage. So the experienced midfielder will be fresh and should man the midfield alongside Scott McTominay. Donny van de Beek will get another chance to impress as the former Ajax midfielder will appear in the number 10 position.
Anthony Elanga will be on the right flank, while Alejandro Garnacho will run his errands from the left wing. Anthony Martial will spearhead this refurbished Manchester United side against Burnley on Wednesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Dubravka; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia; Eriksen, McTominay; Elanga, van de Beek, Garnacho; Martial
Burnley
Bailey Peacock-Farrell will feature between the sticks. Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jordan Beyer will be deputising in the backline.
Connor Roberts did not have a lengthy spell at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and was involved in the Middlesbrough game. The defender received his marching orders for a handball. But later it was found the incident did not occur, and his suspension might be revoked.
Ian Maatsen and Charlie Taylor will be given the responsibility to oil the full-back department. Josh Cullen and Samuel Bastien will be marshalling the midfield, as this is one area where the Championship outfit need to get better at.
Benson Manuel Hedilazio and Darko Churlinov will be feeding the attack from the flanks, while Josh Brownhill will be aiming to run in a good shift from attacking midfield. Finally, Ashley Barnes will be the lone forward for Burnley against Manchester United.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Peacock-Farrell; Taylor, Harwood-Bellis, Beyer, Maatsen; Cullen, Bastien; Manuel, Brownhill, Churlinov; Barnes
Key Stats
- Manchester United have progressed from all five of their League Cup ties against Burnley, most recently a fourth round victory in 2002/03.
- Burnley have won just one of their last 23 away games against Manchester United in all competitions (D8 L14), winning 2-0 in the Premier League in January 2020.
- Manchester United have lost three of their last four home games in the League Cup, as many as they had in their previous 36 at Old Trafford.
- Burnley are looking to reach the quarter-finals of the League Cup for the first time since 2008/09, a campaign in which – as a Championship side – they eliminated three Premier League teams enroute to reaching the semi-finals.
- Marcus Rashford has been involved in 12 goals in his last 11 League Cup appearances, scoring eight and assisting four.
Player to Watch
Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial’s injury issues created a whole lot of problems as he also missed out on a place in France’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The French forward finally has the stage set for him to deliver, and it could be his redemption time. Expect the player to make his mark for Manchester United against Burnley.
Prediction
Manchester United 1-0 Burnley
Burnley will take a shot at fancying a victory at Old Trafford as Manchester United will be missing a large number of their first-team players. But Erik ten Hag is aware of such kind of situations, and he will be preparing his pack of horses according to that. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Manchester United.
