PL PREVIEW: Manchester United v Burnley

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Build-up as the Clarets aim for another red-letter day at Old Trafford

2021-04-18T14:57:59.310Z

PL PREVIEW: Manchester United v Burnley

Build-up as the Clarets aim for another red-letter day at Old Trafford

2021-04-18T14:57:59.310Z

Build-up as the Clarets aim for another red-letter day at Old Trafford

The Clarets go to Old Trafford looking to make it a famous five.

Burnley are unbeaten in their last four visits to Manchester United, with three successive draws followed by a first win for the club at Old Trafford since 1962 with last season’s 2-0 success.

A repeat won’t be easy given United’s current vein of form and their desire to at least keep local rivals City in their sights at the top of the Premier League table.

Victory would take Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side to within eight points of the likely champions with six games to go.

The Clarets’ desire for points comes at the other end of the table as Sean Dyche’s men look to make sure of their top-flight safety.

But Burnley will be buoyed by their recent record at Old Trafford – as well as the attacking element of their recent performances – where they have produced a string of top-class displays.

PL PREVIEW: Manchester United v Burnley - Image 1

And proving it’s been no fluke, the Clarets have added further big scalps to their CV this season, winning at both Arsenal and Liverpool for the first time in the Premier League era.

Another victory on Sunday afternoon would allow them to join Wimbledon (1992-93) and Chelsea (2009-10) as the only clubs to record away victories at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United in the same Premier League season.

And goalkeeper Nick Pope believes the record reflects the Clarets’ growing belief against the big boys as Dyche’s men aim to add another record to their repertoire.

“Something we've got better at in the Premier League is playing away at the bigger teams,” said the England international who was facing a fitness test on a shoulder injury to see whether he can return from a one-match absence.

“I think we've grown to enjoy the challenge and take it on and make the game about us as much as possible.

“I think that's something we've improved at over the last few years in the Premier League.”

Team news

The Clarets will give a late check to goalkeeper Nick Pope after he missed last weekend’s loss to Newcastle United with a shoulder injury.

Winger Dwight McNeil is also having a knock assessed.

Burnley are without Ashley Barnes, Robbie Brady and Kevin Long but striker Jay Rodriguez returns after missing the defeat to Newcastle to be at the birth of his daughter.

PL PREVIEW: Manchester United v Burnley - Image 2

Manchester United hope striker Marcus Rashford is fit to extend his ever-present Premier League record after a foot problem restricted him to a place among the substitutes in mid-week.

Captain Harry Maguire, defender Luke Shaw and midfielder Scott McTominay are available after missing United’s Europa League win over Granada.

Defender Eric Bailly is also expected to be available after a period isolating due to a positive Covid-19 test.

Form guide

The Clarets go into the game 17th in the table following Newcastle’s win over West Ham on Saturday.

Sean Dyche’s men were seven points clear of 18th-placed Fulham and the bottom three ahead of the Cottagers’ lunch-time kick-off at Arsenal.

The Clarets have lost two in a row since the last international break but have lost just three of their last 10 Premier League games in total.

They have won twice – both away from home – and drawn five times during that run.

Manchester United - who won 1-0 at Turf Moor in January - have lost just once in 25 Premier League games going back to the start of November, although four of their league defeats this season have come at Old Trafford.

The Reds – semi-finalists in the Europa League – have won six of their last seven games in all competitions, wrapped around an FA Cup exit at Leicester City.

Opposition camp

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: “It’s a big game, important game. One we’ve struggled in the last two or three years at Old Trafford, so it’s going to be a challenge, we know that.

PL PREVIEW: Manchester United v Burnley - Image 3

“We have to earn the right to play, because we play against a very experienced, very well-organised team that have certain attributes that you’ll always have to do well against.

“They’re very well organised, very experienced, [have] players that have been around the block and some individual quality that will always be difficult to defend against.

“Set-plays, always, with the quality. You've got Dwight McNeil [whose] delivery is very difficult, they've got big lads in there [that will] put their bodies on the line. They want to head the ball, good movement. Just a well-coached team.”

Match stats

Clarets’ defender Matt Lowton is set to make his 200th Premier League appearance. It will be his 128th for Burnley following 72 top-flight appearances for Aston Villa.

PL PREVIEW: Manchester United v Burnley - Image 4

Striker Chris Wood has scored in his last two appearances at Old Trafford for Burnley and also scored at the ground for New Zealand in the 2012 Olympics.

The Clarets could become only the second team to avoid defeat in five consecutive Premier League visits to Old Trafford after Chelsea, who did it six times between 1994 and 1998.

Sean Dyche’s men would also set a club record of five Premier League away games unbeaten against a single opponent if they extend their undefeated record at United.

United have come from behind to win nine league matches this season, just one behind Newcastle United's Premier League record of 10 in a season set in 2001-02.

Referee

Jon Moss

VAR

Darren England

Kick-off

Sunday 4pm

Broadcast

Sky Sports.

Commentary on Clarets+