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Reeling on the ropes
Alexis Sanchez and James Tarkowski face off tomorrow at Turf Moor. AFP PHOTOS
What you need to know:
SOCCER. A clash between two sides with similar storylines as Manchester United travel to Turf Moor under a huge cloud following a heavy loss to Tottenham and previously having tasted defeat at Brighton, conceding three goals in each game. Sean Dyche’s men will to attract hordes of support but Burnley, too, are not without troubles. They have clearly been distracted by competing in the Europa League and are also shipping goals on the domestic front, losing 3-1 here to Watford and 4-2 at Fulham.
Jose Mourinho is already under serious pressure as he takes his wounded Manchester United side to face Burnley at Turf Moor tomorrow.
United began the season with a win over Leicester City, but defeats against Brighton and Tottenham - the latter a damaging 3-0 home defeat - have set alarm bells ringing at Old Trafford. Mourinho’s future at the club is not in immediate danger, but Turf Moor is one of the last places Mourinho would have picked to go to next as the Red Devils attempt to save their title hopes before the season is even a month old.
Head To Head
United have beaten Burnley 60 times, though the Clarets have won 44 games against the Red Devils with 22 draws apiece. Mourinho’s men beat Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor last season - with Anthony Martial scoring - but the sides drew 2-2 at Old Trafford.
Team News
Antonio Valencia, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Alexis Sanchez all returned against Tottenham, but it remains to be seen whether Mourinho will ring the changes after that heavy home defeat.
Phil Jones limped off with another injury problem versus Spurs, and is unlikely to feature. That could mean a recall for Eric Bailly - who was dropped altogether against Mauricio Pochettino’s side - or a start for Victor Lindelof.
Marcos Rojo, Diogo Dalot and Sergio Romero remain out for United.
Burnley are still missing Steven Defour, Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Nick Pope.
Robbie Brady is a doubt with a thigh injury, as is Anders Lindegaard.
Man Utd odds
After falling to a lacklustre 3-2 loss at Brighton, United produced far more energy and enthusiasm early on when entertaining Tottenham.
However, the Red Devils failed to find a breakthrough and gradually allowed Spurs to get back into the game. Defensive frailties then resurfaced as Harry Kane headed the visitors in front and Lucas Moura piled the pressure on Jose Mourinho with a double strike.
Luke Shaw believes United’s dressing room boasts the spirit, determination and talent to bounce back and knows a response is needed.
LIKELY XIs
Burnley XI: Hart, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Ward, Lennon, Cork, Westwood, Taylor, Hendrick, Wood
Man United XI: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, Shaw, Matic, Pogba, Fred, Lingard, Lukaku, Sanchez
