HomeTeams - PLBurnleyManchester United v Burnley Preview | Team News, Key Men & Stats

Manchester United v Burnley Preview | Team News, Key Men & Stats

Louis Van Gaal will be looking for a response from his side on Wednesday night when they welcome Burnley to Old Trafford. Man United needed Daley Blind to rescue them a point at Upton park on Sunday with a 90th minute strike to break Hammers Hearts. That United’s 3rd draw in their last 6 matches meaning that dropped points on Wednesday night could see both Tottenham and Arsenal leapfrog them, taking them out of the Champions League spots. Burnley meanwhile were left frustrated at the weekend after they surrendered 2 points to West Brom at Turf Moor, after taking a two goal lead in the match up. Its occurences like that which could be the end of Burnley’s Premier League tenure and manager Sean Dyche will be looking to cut out such errors in future fixtures. A visit to Old Trafford arguably, would not be a game on the calendar Burnley had earmarked for gaining points to keep them up. When the sides did met at Turf Moor in August, Burnley were able to frustrate United into surrendering a point, could lightning strike twice for the men in Claret? It is the Premier League and anything could happen once the whistle blows at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.

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Team News

After picking up a second yellow in the dying seconds of the game at West Ham on Sunday, full-back Luke Shaw will be unavailable for United. Ashley Young could return to the full-back or wing back position he was deputizing in before his hamstring injury. Before the West ham game on Sunday, Louis Van Gaal said “we only have one injury” speaking about England midfielder Michael Carrick going onto say “he is doing well. He shall also return very fast I think”. It makes for pleasant reading for United fans who for the first time this season are not lumbered with an extensive injury list.

After naming the same starting line-up for the 10th consecutive game against West Brom on Sunday, it would be wise to expect Sean Dyche to once again named an unchanged side against Manchester united on Wednesday. Burnley didn’t pick up any injuries during the game at the weekend so any changes made would show Dyche finally opting for a change in tact for the visit to Old Trafford.

Interesting Statistics

The last time the two sides met at Old Trafford Manchester United ran out 3-0 winners in January 2010

This will only be the second time Burnley will have visited Old Trafford in a Premier League fixture

Burnley have only lost once to Manchester united in the Premier League and that was on their last visit to Old Trafford

Burnley have only won 1 of their last 13 matches against Manchester United. That victory was in August 2009, Burnley won 1-0

The two sides have met 108 times. Manchester United have 50 of the clashes, burnley have won 41 while only 17 of the games have ended in a draw

Key Players

Manchester United: Daley Blind

It was the Dutch utility man that spared Manchester United on Sunday night with his left footed strike at the death. The former Ajax player has been a regular in Van Gaal’s side when available, turning in consistent performances that have already warmed him to the United faithful. With Carrick out injured, Van Gaal has been able to turn to Blind, asking him to play the pivot role in his midfield that Carrick was excelling at. Blind has taken to the task with ease showing great potential to replace Carrick in the position once the England midfielder hangs up his boots. His ability to keep the game ticking over, constantly looking to get on the ball and dictate the game for Man United will be detrimental to any potential success against a visiting Burnley side that will look to frustrate and break up United’s attacking momentum. It was against Leicester in United’s last home game that Blind was able to be the key that opened the away sides defence allowing his side to take the lead. Given United’s frustrations against West Ham on Sunday they could be looking to Dutchman again to be the inspiration necessary to pick up all 3 points

Burnley: Danny Ings

There is reason the transfer window saw continued speculation over Danny Ings and a potential move away from Burnley, the guy can score goals. 8 goals in 21 is a decent return for most in the Premier league, it is an impressive return when you are 22 years old playing for Burnley at a level you have never competed at before. Ings has been Burnleys key man all season, not only has he contributed 8 goals but has created 25 chances for his side 4 of which were converted into goals. A team of Burnley’s stature was always going to struggle in a money driven league like the Premier League. But, their work effort and desire imbedded in them by manager Sean Dyche has been sprinkled with quality from their young front man. With 4 goals in his last 5 Premier League games, you would not put it past the Burnley frontman netting at Old Trafford.

Prediction

After failing to take advantage of teams around them dropping points at the weekend, Man United will be looking to react by putting up a convincing win at home against Burnley. Manchester united were less than convincing against West Ham, but you would expect having earned the dramatic late point they would be able to put in an impressive performance at home to keep them in the Champions League places. Burnley have proven a difficult challenge as of late, the side have only been beaten twice in their last 6 matches managing a draw with United’s blue neighbors in the meanwhile. United have only lost once in their last 16 matches so it is difficult to see Burnley derailing that kind of form at Old Trafford, however the frustrated nature of United’s performances as of late would  be befitting of an uncomfortable draw with a team fighting to stay in the Premier League. Expect United to claim 3 points against Sean Dyche’s side as they will know a win is a must having drawn 3 of their last 6 ahead of a tougher run of fixtures

3-1 Manchester United win

Joshua Smith
Joshua Smithhttp://www.writerjsmith.com
Avid football fan and keen writer with a flair for expression and an opinion to share.
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