United 4-2-3-1 predicted line-up against Burnley: Smalling out, Rooney out | Manchester United News

United 4-2-3-1 predicted line-up against Burnley: Smalling out, Rooney out

United 4-2-3-1 predicted line-up against Burnley: Smalling out, Rooney out

Jose Mourinho will be a relieved man having seen the pressure on him lessen considering the win against rivals and neighbours Manchester City on Wednesday night in the League Cup.

The Portuguese has struggled to transmit his ideas to his players as they are yet to win in their last three games in the league this season, gaining just two points in the process and being destroyed 4-0 in Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

On Saturday United are set to welcome attacking Burnley who defeated Ronald Koeman’s Everton last week In Turf Moor. United are unbeaten in 11 of their last 12 home games in the league at the moment, while Burnley have lost their last three away games in the league which has them placed 14th in the league table. Mourinho’s charges looked tired in the final stages of the League Cup win over Manchester City with star players Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba so lethargic and slow having played four games in 10 games. The Portuguese is unlikely to rest both players as he needs maximum points against Sean Dyche’s side sitting six points behind leaders Manchester City.

United are expected to start in their usual 4-2-3-1 formation which has been Mourinho’s formation since his appointment in the summer.

In goal, David Gea is expected to keep his place as Luke Shaw continues to try and win back his place in left back position  which was taken by the more defensively reliable Daley Blind following Shaw’s injury in September.

In central defence, Mourinho’s charges are likely to struggle after the injury sustained by the duo of Eric Bailly (two months out with knee damage) and Chris Smalling . In their place, Mourinho is expected to persist with the duo of Marcus Rojo and Daley Blind who though both left footers and left backs impressed against City on Wednesday.

On the right side of defence, Antonio Valencia is expected to start as he continues his now role at right back having originally played all his career as a winger before his conversion by Louis Van Gaal last season.

In the centre of the park, ageless  Michael Carrick should start having impressed against City alongside the tireless and in form Ander Herrera.

In attack, the game comes too soon for youngster Marcus Rashford who limped out of the City game with an injury suspected to be a muscle injury. This then means Anthony Martial is expected to start on the right in place of the United Academy graduate as Paul Pogba continues his new role in the No 10 after starting his second spell In United in a pivot central role.

To complete the attacking midfielders will be Juan Mata who came on to help stabilise the game in the loss against Chelsea before scoring the winning goal against City on Wednesday.

Finally Zlatan Ibrahimovic is tipped to continue in front as Wayne Rooney battles with a thigh injury which kept him out of the Chelsea and City games.

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