After the humiliation of exiting the EFL Cup to Grimsby Town on Wednesday evening, Manchester United are back at Old Trafford on Saturday to welcome newly promoted side Burnley in this Premier League encounter. Both sides meet each other for the first time April 2024, where the Clarets held the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw at the Theatre of Dreams.
To the surprise of many, Manchester United were the big fish caught in one of the biggest cup upsets with Ruben Amorim’s side suffering an embarrassing defeat in the second round of the EFL Cup. The Red Devils were all at sea falling two goals behind to the Mariners within the first 30 minutes of the first half. The second half saw new summer signing Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire pulling the game back level to force the tie into penalties. A marathon shootout saw Mbeumo miss the 26th and final spot kick to see the League Two side into the next round of the competition through a 12-11 score line.
United are without a win in their first three games of the season having dropped points in the Premier League too against Arsenal (1-0) and Fulham (1-1) leaving some to question Amorim’s position at the club. His win percentage of 35.5% is by far the lowest of any permanent United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club. With nearly £200 million spent in the summer transfer window already, the Portuguese has insisted that “something has to change” after the defeat in midweek.
Pressure continues to mount at Manchester United but everyone needs to move on quickly from what had happened at Blundell Park on Wednesday night. There is some comfort knowing we are currently on an unbeaten 23-game run in the Premier League against promoted teams (W20 D3) since our 4-1 defeat at Watford back November 2021, which was former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær last game in charge of the club.
It has only been on three separate occasions that United have failed to win any of their opening three Premier League games of the season (1992-92, 2007-08 and 2014-15) and by no means is a win guaranteed against Burnley.
Manchester United Team News
For United, Lisandro Martinez continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury, whilst Noussair Mazaroui is expected to be back soon from a thigh problem, meaning he misses out on the visit of Burnley. Ruben Amorim made several changes for the midweek game against Grimsby Town and is likely to do the same again. We may see Andre Onana swapped out with Altay Bayindir who has started the first two Premier League games between the sticks.
Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw are pushing for a recall back into the starting eleven. Captain Burno Fernandes is likely to linup with either Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte in the midfield. The Portuguese international directly contributed to 10 goals in his last eight Premier League games against newly-promoted teams (four goals, six assists).
After making two appearances from the bench in the Premier League, Benjamin Šeško made his first start in an United shirt midweek and is expected to be in the forward role again along with Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha assisting him in the attack.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
Bayindir;
Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw;
Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu;
Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha
Opposition Preview
Burnley started life back in the Premier League with a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur but gave their supporters a lot to cheer about by winning the next two games in the space of four days at Turf Moor. The Clarets picked up their first three points of the season by overcoming fellow promoted side Sunderland 2-0 last weekend. They left it late in midweek to get past Derby County in the EFL Cup with a late winner providing by Oliver Sonne to seal a 2-1 win.
Head coach Scott Parker highlighted the positives of that result from midweek and how he took advantage of the situation to give some of his first team players and those coming back from injury much needed minutues on the pitch. Burnley’s focus now turns back to the Premier League with them looking to ensure their top-flight safety this season having already alternated between relegation and promotion over the course of the last four seasons. They will be aiming to finish the month of August with consecutive Premier League wins since April 2022.
The Clarets will head to Old Trafford as underdogs in this fixture but for all the oppostion teams to have visited United in the Premier League, Burnley are one of three teams to have come away avoiding a loss in more than half of those games (P9 W1 D4 L4), along with Chelsea and Manchester City.
Burnley Team News
The Clarets have a number of injuries amongst their squad as Zeki Amdouni (ACL), Manuel Benson (Achilles) and Jordan Beyer (knee) are in the treatment room. Connor Roberts is hoping to return from his knock, but Saturday’s fixture at Old Trafford might come too soon for the full-back. Armando Broja, Axel Tuanzebe and Bashir Humphreys made their first starts for Burnley during the midweek EFL Cup game against Derby County and are in contention to be selected again for the weekend.
Scott Parker may opt for a similar starting eleven that led to victory over Sunderland. Former United players Hannibal Mejbri, Martin Dubravka, ex-Manchester City defender Kyle Walker along with Josh Cullen and Jaidon Antony will be pushing to start.
Form Guide
Manchester United Premier League form: LD
Manchester United form (all competitions): LDL
Burnley Premier League form: LW
Burnley form (all competitions): LWW
Prediction
United need to show something of a performance at Old Trafford to get the fans back onside and will be regarded as favourites against Burnley. However, the Clarets had shown great defensive capabilities last season and in their victory over Sunderland last week. They could cause us some frustration but the Red Devils know a win would lift the disappointment of midweek.
Manchester United 2-1 Burnley