Manchester United look to bounce back from a shock FA Cup exit as Ralf Rangnick’s Red Devils visit Burnley in midweek Premier League action at Turf Moor.
Victory could see Burnley climb out of the relegation zone if Newcastle and Watford fail to win elsewhere, whereas Utd would stay fourth with a win irrespective of what West Ham do elsewhere.
Team News
Ashley Barnes is nearing a return from injury but won’t be risked unless he is declared match fit.
Charlie Taylor (ankle), Johann Berg Gudmundsson (illness) and Matej Vydra (hernia) are ruled out.
Man Utd will be without Alex Telles and Fred after the pair tested positive for Coronavirus.
Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani (both personal), Victor Lindelof (illness), Jadon Sancho (fatigue), Bruno Fernandes (back) and Raphael Varane (fitness) are set to all be in contention for selection.
Eric Bailly (ankle) and Mason Greenwood (personal) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Burnley have won just one of their last five meetings against Manchester United (W1, L4).
- Man Utd have won in each of their last five trips to Turf Moor in which they scored eight goals against Burnley without conceding (W5).
- Two of Utd’s last three goals at Turf Moor have been scored by French players, courtesy of Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba in December 2019 and January 2021.
- James Tarkowski and Ashley Westwood have both been yellow carded more times than any other Burnley player in the Premier League this season, having collected six yellow cards apiece.
- No Man Utd player this season has played more crosses in the Premier League than Bruno Fernandes, who has created 91 crosses for his teammates.
Prediction
Having achieved two consecutive goalless draws, Burnley will be coming into this game full of confidence especially after an excellent but wasteful attacking effort against Watford on Saturday, yet there were several moments of scrappy defending from set pieces.
Man Utd meanwhile need a reaction to their lacklustre FA Cup exit because despite dominating Middlesbrough, they lacked intensity in build-up of their attacks which proved costly on top of sloppy defensive errors.
Utd though can take heart from their form in this fixture but if Burnley continue to improve and actually finish chances, they could cause a surprise but the first goal will be key and Utd are unbeaten in their last six away games in all competitions which could be crucial morale wise.
Prediction: Burnley 1-2 Manchester United
Result: Burnley 1-1 Manchester United