Match Previews

Match Preview: Manchester United vs Burnley

Fox Sports Australia

It was an eighth consecutive victory for United in the Emirates FA Cup last Friday, as Burnley come to town in hope of ending the record-breaking run.

Although Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men are on a roll, Sean Dyche (bringing his team to Manchester for the second time in four days) has seen his own side produce a magnificent upturn in form as of late; winning four of their last five games – in which they are unbeaten.

A fixture that has provided plenty of competition at Old Trafford in recent times should be a midweek grind for both teams.

Kick-off: 20:00 [GMT]

Venue: Old Trafford

Referee: Jonathan Moss

Reverse fixture: Burnley 0-2 Manchester United (Lukaku x2)

The Clarets

Position: 16th

Recent form: LDWWW

Top scorer: Ashley Barnes [4]

Most assists: Johann Berg Gudmundsson/Ashley Westwood [4]

One to watch: Dwight McNeil

Previous result: Manchester City 5-0 Burnley

Injuries/suspensions (estimated return)

  • Phil Bardsley – knock (late assessment)
  • Robbie Brady – groin (late assessment)
  • Jόhann Berg Guðmundsson – thigh (back in training)
  • Aaron Lennon – knee (two weeks)
  • Matt Lowton – toe (next week)
  • Jonathan Walters – Achilles tension (two months)

Expected lineup

(4-4-2) Heaton; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Hendrick, Westwood, Cork, McNeil; Wood, Barnes.

Quote from the boss

The players know United are in good form and they have had the new manager bounce, but we’ve been going along well ourselves.” – Sean Dyche

Next match: Southampton [H] 2/2/19

The Red Devils

Talking points

Courtesy more three more delightful goals at the Emirates, United advanced in the FA Cup and will now face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the fifth round.

Solskjær made the short journey to the Etihad Stadium to watch Burnley receive a trouncing from Manchester City on Saturday for most likely scouting reasons.

David De Gea is set to return between the sticks, although Sergio Romero was in inspired form last time out to certify his place as cup ‘keeper.

Chris Smalling is fit to the return the squad and could make his first appearance under Solskjær due to being out for over a month with a foot injury.

It appears that Solskjær has found his favoured midfield trio, starting Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matić and Paul Pogba in six of the eight games that he has been in charge for.

Romelu Lukaku grabbed two assists from the right wing and Alexis Sánchez notched a goal on Friday, but the usual forward trio of Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford (controversially sent off in the reverse fixture) and Anthony Martial are still in-form.

Former reds Phil Bardsley, Robbie Brady, and Tom Heaton could all feature at Old Trafford.

Monday marked five years since Juan Mata made his United debut, the same game as Solskjær’s first outing as Cardiff City boss.

Injuries/suspensions (estimated return)

  • Marouane Fellaini – calf (two weeks)
  • Marcos Rojo – knock (unknown)

Expected lineup

(4-2-3-1) De Gea; Young, Bailly, Lindelöf, Shaw; Herrera, Matić, Pogba; Lingard, Lukaku, Rashford.

Quote from the boss

“I’m a United product. The biggest part of my football life has been here in Manchester.” – Ole Gunnar Solskjær

Next match: Leicester City [A] 3/2/19

Potential key battles

– Marcus Rashford vs James Tarkowski

– Ander Herrera vs Ashley Westwood

– Victor Lindelöf vs Chris Wood

Match facts [FotMob]

  • United are unbeaten in their last eight against Burnley (W5 D3) – keeping six clean sheets in that time
  • Burnley are winless in their last 19 away games against United in all competitions (D7 L12) since winning 5-2 in a top-flight game in September 1962
  • The Red Devils have a higher win rate in games played on Tuesdays (62.5%) than any other side in Premier League history, winning 30 of their 48 such matches
  • The Clarets are winless in their last eight away league games against ‘big six’ sides, losing the last four in a row by an aggregate score of 1-14
  • Tuesday is the only day of the week on which Sean Dyche has never lost a Premier League game (W3 D2)

Enjoy the match!



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