United are yet to win in their last three league games having gained only two points from games against Stoke City, Liverpool and Chelsea . History favours United who have lost only once in 12 games in Old Trafford. Jose Mourinho’s charges will have a little bit of confidence having beaten arch-rivals and ‘noisy neighbours’ Manchester City on Wednesday night in the League Cup.
Burnley are expected to play physical considering their approach towards teams of superior quality yet that doesn’t take anything off their ability to take their chances in the final third. The Clarets beat high flying Liverpool on Match day two 2-0 in Turf Moor having less than 30% of the possession that evening hence the need for United to score an early goal to demoralise them.
In attack, Burnley will be happy to welcome Darmian Gray who has finished serving his four match suspension after the FA suspended him for homophobic comments he made in social media in 2012. Gray will partner Sam Vokes who is more physical and good in aerial duels knocking down the ball for the quicker and tricky Gray to chase making their combination a class match. Hendrick and Marney will have to be up to the game in central midfield in order to dictate the pace of the game and reduce the pressure on their defence as United’s greatest problem is their inability to control the centre of the park compared to the wings where United are more suited as the runs and crosses of the likes Antonio Valencia, Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford (out with muscle injury ) have been their strength. In defence Michael Keane will come up against his old side who (United) sold him for less than £2 million to Aston Villa.
This will see Dyche start with a 4-4-2 formation which has been his favourite since winning promotion to the Premier League in the summer.
United will be starting with a 4-2-3-1 formation which will see David De Gea start in goal. Valencia, Marcus Rojo, Daley Blind and Luke Shaw play defence. Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera play in central midfield. Juan Mata, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial play in attack with Zlatan Ibrahimovic the front man.
Expect a high scoring game as Burnley have seen over 2.5 goals in their last three away games this season, hence a 3-1 win for United is to be expected as Jose Mourinho’s side will look to get their fair share of points and goals against the newly promoted side.