Manchester United to focus on Top 4 with trip to Burnley

After a dismal display in the FA Cup, Manchester United turn to an away trip at Burnley. United played excellently in the match against Middlesbrough and some of the football was scintillating. However the finishing from the side was below the Championship level of the team they faced. United could and should have been five or six nil up before the awful decision to award an equaliser for Boro. So they only have themselves to blame for exiting the FA Cup.

If United play the way they did against Boro but actually finish clinically, they will sail through Tuesday’s game with no issues. Burnley are bottom and rock bottom too. They haven’t won a game since October and their struggle to create decent chances hasn’t changed with a stale draw to Watford this weekend. Of course, Burnley have attacking potency with Cornet, Weighorst and McNeil but United’s defence have been calm and composed of late. I don’t expect them to have too many problems unless they make them for themselves. Here’s all you need to know:

Burnley vs Manchester United Match Info:

Teams: Burnley vs Manchester United
Date: Tuesday 8th February 2022
KO Time: 20:00 GMT
Stadium: Turf Moor
Managers: Sean Dyche and Ralf Rangnick
Referee: Mike Dean

Team News:

Burnley

Burnley remain without their number 10, Ashley Barnes who is injured alongside Gudmunsson, Taylor and Vydra. Sean Dyche will be welcoming back Jay Rodriguez and Josh Brownhill who are likely to return straight into the starting XI for Tuesday.

Manchester United

United will be without Alex Telles and Fred who have tested positive for COVID-19 following their international duty away with Brazil. Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane both came off against Boro with minor injuries but should be fit for the trip to Burnley. Cavani and Lingard should return to the squad but both Lindelof and Bailly remain out with injury.

Interesting Facts:

• Manchester United are unbeaten in their last three games against Burnley and are unbeaten at Turf Moor since 2009 (P6 W5 D1).
• Coincidentally, the home win at Turf Moor in 2009 was the last time Burnley scored at home against Manchester United.
• 10 of the last 15 goals scored in games between Manchester United and Burnley have been scored in the second half. However all four of the goals in the reverse fixture this season were in the first half.

Predicted XI:

I don’t expect many changes to the side that played on Friday. Henderson will make way for De Gea despite impressing in the 120′. I hope that Wan-Bissaka comes in for Dalot. Dalot has been praised for improving defensively and rightly so. However, I hope that he gets a chance to play because he is better under pressure, better at taking players on and is no better at crossing than the Portuguese international. He needs some game time as he is still the best right back at the club and now has the competition to push him. The rest of the back four should stay the same.

In midfield I hope for no changes. Pogba and McTominay looked comfortable together and Fernandes made things click despite missing the target embarassingly. In attack, as long as Sancho is fit, I hope he starts with Rashford on the wings in a fluid dynamic between the two Englishmen. Up front, Ronaldo had a bad time against Boro but tends to prove doubters wrong. If he starts against Burnley he should not start against Southampton but I’d rather Cavani started this one and Ronaldo returned at Old Trafford.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Pogba, Fernandes; Sancho, Rashford, Cavani

Predicted Score:

I expect a United win as long as they are clinical and play the way they did against Boro in attack and defence. Burnley need to start winning games but I think they are deep in the mire at the moment. It remains to be seen if the new signings will affect their season or fail to bring them back from the precipice of relegation.

United to win 4-0.