“Can anyone stop Manchester United?”
That seems to be the question every single Premier League manager seems to be making considering the team’s impressive form. The Red Devils are coming off a huge 3-1 FA Cup win over Arsenal the last time out. That result made it eight wins out of eight matches since caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed in December. Now The Red Devils will try to make it nine out of nine this Tuesday, when they host Burnley at Old Trafford. This EPL fixture is slated to kick-off at 20:00 BST.
Team News
Manchester United’s absentees list won’t change much from the one of the Arsenal match. Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling and Marouane Fellaini all remain out, although the former Fulham defender has been training for a whole week and could be ready to return. Scott McTominay has been out for a while, but he recently played at a high level – and even score – against PSG representing United’s U23 squad. The Scot could be in line for a return to the first-team picture sooner than later.
On the other hand, Burnley won’t have former Red Robbie Brady, who left the team’s FA Cup match against Manchester City with a groin problem. Meanwhile other former Reds, such as Tom Heaton and Phil Bardsley, could be part of the squad. Matt Lowton and Aaron Lennon won’t be available for selection ahead of this contest. The same goes to Jonathan Walters and Johann Gudmunsson.
Form guide
Manchester United are playing at a very high level right now. The win over Arsenal in the FA Cup made it eight wins in a row for The Red Devils, and they’re yet to lose since the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as interim manager. That winning run in all competitions has the team at the top of the league’s five-game form table, but they still have a lot of work to do. Through the first 23 league matches, Solskjaer’s men sit in sixth place with 33 points, although they sit below Arsenal solely due to goal differential. But with Chelsea sitting just three points above them in fourth place, a potential Top 4 finish keeps getting closer for The Red Devils.
Meanwhile, Burnley have not had a good season and they currently sit in 16th place in the Premier League standings with 22 points (W6, D4, L13). However, they’ve been on the rise of late since they’re riding a four-game undefeated run in the league level, where they’ve earned 10 out of their last 12 points available (W3, D1). They suffered a 0-5 loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup this past week and will undoubtedly try to extend their undefeated run. However, that seems like a tough thing to do considering the form of their opponents.
What is our recent record against Burnley?
Manchester United have faced Burnley nine times in the Premier League context in recent years. The Red Devils have a clear supremacy when it comes to the H2H record in those matches, going undefeated in their last eight encounters. In fact, Burnley last defeated the Old Trafford side back in 2009, so The Red Devils have a decent edge when it comes to playing The Clarets.
Prediction
Burnley might be on the rise, there’s no doubt about that. However, Manchester United look unstoppable at the moment. I believe Solskjaer’s men will secure the three points easily in this one.
Leave a Reply