Preview: Burnley vs. Manchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

Manchester United will be bidding to make it three Premier League victories in a row when they head to Turf Moor on Tuesday evening to take on basement side Burnley.

The Red Devils are currently fourth in the table, one point clear of fifth-placed West Ham United, while struggling Burnley sit bottom on 13 points, having won just once in the league this term.

Match preview

© Reuters

Burnley missed the chance to move off the bottom of the Premier League table on Saturday, as they played out a goalless draw with Watford at Turf Moor; the Clarets also drew 0-0 with Arsenal before the break, but the strugglers have only recorded one victory in the league this term.

Indeed, Sean Dyche's side have won one, drawn 10 and lost eight of their 19 league games this season to collect 13 points, which has left them bottom of the division, three points behind 17th-placed Norwich City.

Burnley have two games in hand on both 19th-placed Newcastle United and 18th-placed Watford, though, and three in hand on Norwich, so it is not quite time for the team to panic despite their issues this term.

The Clarets sold Chris Wood to Newcastle during the January transfer window but managed to bring in Wout Weghorst from Wolfsburg, and the 29-year-old will have his second taste of Premier League football in this match, as Dyche's side prepare for just their ninth home league game of the season.

Burnley have lost each of their last three games with Man United, including a 1-0 defeat in the corresponding match last term, while they have not overcome the Red Devils at home since their famous 1-0 success in August 2009, which proved to be the first ever Premier League game between the two sides.

© Reuters

Man United, meanwhile, moved into fourth position in the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over West Ham before the break, with Marcus Rashford scoring late to secure a huge three points, and the visitors will be looking to secure a third straight league victory on Tuesday night.

The Red Devils will enter this match off the back of a disappointing result, though, having lost on penalties to Middlesbrough in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday; the top-flight side dominated the contest for long spells but conceded a controversial leveller before losing the shootout at Old Trafford.

The Champions League is now the team's only realistic chance of silverware this season, with Ralf Rangnick's side preparing to take on Atletico Madrid in the last-16 stage of the competition, but they have league games against Burnley, Southampton, Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds United before the first leg.

Man United are far from secure in the top four, sitting just one point ahead of fifth-placed West Ham, while Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have matches in hand over the Red Devils; Wolverhampton Wanderers in eighth are also not out of the argument when it comes to a Champions League finish.

The Red Devils have collected 19 points from their 11 away Premier League games this term, while they are unbeaten on the road in the league since the 4-1 loss at Watford, which led to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer losing his job as head coach.

Team News

© Reuters

Burnley will have Josh Brownhill back from suspension for Tuesday's contest, and the midfielder is expected to go straight back into the starting side at Turf Moor.

The Clarets will again definitely be missing Matej Vydra and Johann Berg Gudmundsson, while Ashley Barnes and Charlie Taylor could also be unavailable for selection.

Dyche is unlikely to make many alterations from the side that started the goalless draw with Watford, but Jay Rodriguez could be introduced alongside Weghorst in the final third, with Maxwel Cornet moving out wide.

As for Man United, Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes are expected to overcome issues that they picked up against Middlesbrough, while Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani will come back into the squad.

Victor Lindelof remains a doubt through illness, though, while Eric Bailly (ankle) and Mason Greenwood (club suspension) will again be unavailable for selection on Tuesday night.

Fred and Alex Telles are also out of the contest, having both tested positive for COVID-19.

Rangnick will make changes from the side that started in the FA Cup, with David de Gea and Anthony Elanga all in line to return to the first XI, but Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba should keep their spots.

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty against Boro on a frustrating night for the Portugal international, but he will again lead the line, with Sancho dropping to the bench to allow Elanga to return.

Burnley possible starting lineup:
Pope; Roberts, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; McNeil, Westwood, Brownhill, Cornet; Rodriguez, Weghorst

Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Pogba; Rashford, Fernandes, Elanga; Ronaldo

We say: Burnley 1-2 Manchester United

This is a huge football match for both sides, and it is a tough one to call. Burnley will believe that they can cause a wounded Man United problems, but the Red Devils are on a strong run in the Premier League, and we believe that the visitors will navigate their way to an important three points at Turf Moor.

Previews by email