Tuesday 10 February 2015

Match preview: United v Burnley, Wednesday 11th January

Manchester United welcome the struggling Clarets to Old Trafford with both sides in need of three points for entirely different reasons.

United need the win to stay on course for a top four finish while Sean Dyche's Burnley are embroiled in a congested relegation scrap- they currently sit one place and one point outside the "drop zone". 

Like the Reds, Burnley were also left disappointed on Sunday as they let a two-goal lead slip at home to West Bromwich Albion who fought back to earn a 2-2 draw at Turf Moor. 

Michael Carrick remains out with a ruptured muscle and left-back Luke Shaw is suspended for this game following his late red card at West Ham.
Marouane Fellaini impressed as a substitute in that game and could be restored to the starting XI. 


Burnley are making a fair old fist of life back in the top flight and their hard-working, committed and organised approach has caused problems for many an opponent this term.
However, they have only won once on their travels in the league this campaign and that, coupled with our excellent home return, make the Reds strong favourites for victory here. 


The return fixture in August ended goalless at Turf Moor (Angel Di Maria's United debut) and since then the Clarets have shown the qualities they will need in their survival fight with comeback draws at Manchester City and Newcastle over Christmas. 

Speaking pre-match on Tuesday, United manager Louis van Gaal said:
"Carrick is injured and Luke Shaw is of course suspended so I have to choose out of the rest.
"Yesterday I played five first team players of my selection in the second team (Under 21s) and they won against Chelsea.
"But I have to see how the players have recovered from the match against West Ham United- that was a tough game.
"We had to fight until the end and I think that Burnley will be another difficult opponent but we are at home and we have to win.
"I am happy with results so far but we are looking to improve as you can always get better."


Form guide: United L W D W W D Burnley D W L L L D 
Match odds: United 2/7 Draw 11/12 Burnley 9/1 
Referee: Kevin Friend





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