Manchester United will take another major step to secure Champions League qualification for next season when we take on Burnley at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. We are 14 places and 30 points better off than our opponents in the Premier League, but in recent times, the Clarets have been somewhat our bogey team.
On paper, a home match against Burnley who are not quite clear of danger but are comfortably ahead of those in the relegation battle looks like a good fixture for United to mathematically secure a place inside the top four.
The home side has not won any of the last nine matches between the clubs. The Red Devils are looking to complete a league double over the Clarets since the 1975/76 season. United will be coming into the game as favourites to get all three points. We are looking to win five consecutive league games since we won our first six games when manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær arrived at the club.
United secured a great victory last weekend in the league outing over Tottenham as we beat them 3-1 thanks to goals from Fred, Edinson Cavani, and Mason Greenwood. Solskjær gained one over his predecessor Jose Mourinho. There has been escalating war of words between the managers. Further fuel has been added to the fire with Paul Pogba’s comments criticizing the former manager this week.
Victory for the Red Devils would lift us 12 points clear of fifth-place Chelsea with only six games of the league season left to be played. We are still to face Liverpool and Leicester City who are the only teams we face in the top six at the business end of the season. We will have the confidence of knowing we can secure second place comfortably.
United come into this game after our 2-0 win against Granada in the Europa League on Thursday. This has seen us progress into the semi-finals of the competition. We will now face Italian opponents Roma in the next round.
Opposition Preview
Burnley will come to Old Trafford off the back of a disappointing defeat. They threw away a 2-0 to end up losing the game 3-2 against Southampton. This defeat means it is just one win in the last eight Premier League matches for the Clarets. However, there have been four draws in that time that have kept them clear of the relegation zone.
Manager Sean Dyche will know they are not quite secure of Premier League football for next season just yet. They have a seven-point gap above Fulham meaning Burnley is not in any danger at the moment. Five points from their final seven league games should be enough to secure their top-flight status.
The Clarets arrive with a good record at Old Trafford in recent years. They have already gained victories of the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool, and Everton this season. The away record this season has not been so good. Only two other teams have picked up fewer points than the Clarets.
Manchester United vs Burnley Match Details
Teams: Manchester United vs Burnley
Date: April 18th, 2020 (Sunday)
KO Time: 16:00 BST
Competition: Premier League
Stadium: Old Trafford
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Managers: Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Sean Dyche
Manchester United Team News
For United, Marcus Rashford who was nursing a knock to his foot was left on the bench against Granada is expected to be fit. Ole Gunnar Solskjær talked about in his pre-match conference whether Rashford will be ready in time. He said, “Big bonus that he didn’t have to put any pressure on his foot, yes. I have got to hope he can be available and not make it worse, that is the decision I have got to make so fingers crossed.”
If Rashford does come back into the starting eleven, it is likely that Mason Greenwood will drop out. This is despite him scoring in the last two Premier League matches. With Anthony Martial currently out with a knee injury, Edinson Cavani has stepped up in his absence. His form had led to calls for him to extend his stay at United for another season.
Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire are expected to return to the starting eleven having missed the game against Granada through suspension. Scott McTominay and Dean Henderson will also be pushing for recalls to the side.
Manchester United vs Burnley Pre-Match Press Conference
During the pre-match press conference, Ole was asked about how the squad has become better when looking back to the fixture at Old Trafford last season against Burnley. He said, “The last three games against Burnley we have conceded two goals. we have not won any of the last three home games against Burnley. It is a massive game for the players. Massive game for them to show the mentality that they have shown over the last 13-14 months because I think the attitude has been spot on. The determination, the bounce back ability the of not letting one defeat derail your season or lose the momentum. Get straight back on getting points or a win.”
“The way the players have coped with the whole situation, the players I have to say they have impressed me. The coaches the little details they try and improve on. I said about the devil is in the details and our coaches there can’t be too many coaches around the world that look in to the detail as much as mine. I’m delighted to be working with them.”
Burnley Team News
For our opponents, they will be hoping that goalkeeper Nick Pope will be fit to take his place between the sticks. Manager Sean Dyche has admitted that it is touch and go as to whether he will recover from his shoulder injury in time. Bailey Peacock-Farrell will deputise if Pope does not prove his fitness.
Ashley Barnes, Robbie Brady, and Kevin Long remained out with injuries. Whilst Jay Rodriguez is available again for selection. Dwight McNeil has also emerged as a doubt for the game. Sean Dyche may decide to keep the same attacking duo that played against Newcastle United with Chris Wood and Matej Vydra leading the line.
Form Guide
Manchester United Premier League form: DDWWWW
Manchester United form (all competitions): WLWWWW
Burnley Premier League form: LDDWLL
Interesting Facts
- Manchester United is looking to complete their first league double over Burnley since the 1975-76 campaign, following their 1-0 win at Turf Moor in the reverse fixture. (source: Opta).
- Manchester United has come from behind to win nine Premier League games this season – in the competition’s history, only Newcastle in 2001-02 (10) have won more having fallen behind. (source: Opta)
- Manchester United is looking to win five consecutive Premier League games for the first time since they won their first six under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær in January 2019. (source: Opta).
- Man Utd’s Mason Greenwood has scored in each of his last two Premier League appearances, having scored in just one of his first 23 games this season. The 19-year-old has scored 13 Premier League goals in total, with only Wayne Rooney (15) scoring more as a teenager for the Red Devils in the competition. (source: Opta
Manchester United vs Burnley Predicted Lineup
Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Fred, McTominay; Rashford, Fernandes, Pogba, and Cavani.
Prediction
United cannot ignore the recent record that Burnley has had at Old Trafford. The Clarets will be looking to secure their top-flight status another season. However, the Red Devils are in a good run of form at the moment. Qualification for the Champions League in our grasp and we will want to make sure we secure this at the earliest opportunity.
Predicted Score
Manchester United 3-1 Burnley
