After di embarrassment wey dem chop for EFL Cup midweek, Manchester United go welcome newly-promoted Burnley to Old Trafford for Saturday afternoon Premier League action.
Dis go be di first time both teams dey meet since April 2024, when Burnley shock Red Devils with 1-1 draw for Manchester.
Match Preview
United waka go Grimsby Town on Wednesday as di “big fish”, but na di League Two side wey turn dem to laughing stock. Grimsby knock dem out of EFL Cup after marathon 12-11 penalty shootout, one of di biggest upsets for English football recent years.
Ruben Amorim boys fall behind 2-0 early, try rescue am through Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire, but Mbeumo later miss di final spot kick wey seal United disgrace.
Pressure dey pile for Amorim side. Dem never win any of dem three games this season: 1-0 loss to Arsenal, 1-1 draw Fulham, plus di midweek humiliation.
Na only 35.5% win rate Amorim get since he take over – di lowest of any permanent Man United coach since Sir Alex Ferguson. Even after spending almost £200m on new forwards, results never dey show.
One small hope be say United dey unbeaten for dem last 23 Premier League games against promoted sides (W20 D3) since dat Watford defeat for 2021 wey end Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era.
But Old Trafford no dey too solid again – dem don lose 8 of their last 13 home Premier League games, only 3 wins, 2 draws, 21 goals conceded. Fans no too dey trust di fortress again.
Burnley, on di other hand, dey enjoy small momentum. After dem open season with 3-0 beating from Spurs, dem bounce back with 2-0 win over Sunderland last weekend before edge Derby County 2-1 for EFL Cup midweek, thanks to stoppage-time goal from Oliver Sonne.
Scott Parker don dey praise him team energy, say di mix of fresh signings and returnees dey balance things.
Dem main target na survival this season – after yo-yoing between promotion and relegation past four years.
If dem fit take back-to-back Premier League wins now, e go be first since April 2022. Old Trafford dey tough, but history still dey show Burnley get hope: from 9 visits, dem only lose 4, win 1 and draw 4. Na record plenty small teams no fit boast.
Form
Manchester United Premier League form: L D
Manchester United all comps: L D L
Burnley Premier League form: L W
Burnley all comps: L W W
Team News
Lisandro Martinez still dey out for Man United with knee injury. Noussair Mazraoui dey close to return but dis game fit come too early.
Amorim go rotate after di cup disaster – Andre Onana fit drop to bench after more mistakes, Altay Bayindir dey likely to start. Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw fit return defence, while Bruno Fernandes go partner either Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte for midfield.
Fernandes get sharp record vs promoted teams (10 goal contributions in last 8 games).
Benjamin Sesko wey just join start him first match midweek and likely continue upfront. He go dey supported by fellow new boys Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
Burnley still dey without Zeki Amdouni (ACL), Manuel Benson (Achilles) and Jordan Beyer (knee). Connor Roberts dey close to return but dis weekend too early. Armando Broja, Axel Tuanzebe and Bashir Humphreys all play midweek after permanent moves and fit enter squad again.
Parker go likely stick to di lineup wey beat Sunderland, with ex-United goalie Dubravka, ex-City defender Walker, Hannibal Mejbri, plus Cullen and Jaidon Anthony pushing to start.
Possible Lineups
Manchester United XI: Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha
Burnley XI: Dubravka; Walker, Humphreys, Esteve, Ekdal, Hartman; Mejbri, Ugochukwu, Cullen, Anthony; Foster
Prediction
Di mood around Old Trafford dey heavy, and United performance no inspire confidence. Burnley defence dey grow stronger and dem self go believe say dem fit frustrate Amorim boys.
History favour Red Devils, but right now na hard team to trust. Burnley get enough balance to hold out.
Our Pick: Manchester United 1-1 Burnley