The conclusion of the 2023/24 Premier League season is fast approaching with only five games left to go, and it is all to play for at the top and the bottom of the table. The relegation battle is heating up and one of the demotion-threatened clubs face a big test on Saturday as Burnley make the trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United.
Man United Seeking Consistency After Rollercoaster Week
Manchester United have been involved in two rollercoaster games over the past week, with the 3-3 FA Cup semifinal against Coventry City on Sunday, which they won on penalties, and the midweek game against Sheffield United at home, where the Red Devils had to twice come back from a goal down to eventually win 4-2. While Man United suffered a mid-match collapse against Coventry City, squandering a 3-goal lead, they showed a much better performance against Sheffield United on Wednesday night. They looked the better side throughout the match and should have been comfortable winners but for some wasteful finishing and some brilliant goalkeeping from the Blades’ keeper.
The win over Sheffield United meant the Red Devils jumped back into sixth place, with Newcastle United losing to Crystal Palace on the same night. It is a near impossible ask for United to make it into the UCL places as they sit 13 points behind Aston Villa with a game in hand, with only five games left to play. The Mancunians cannot afford to lose any points now and will be fervently hoping for both Villa and Spurs to drop points in the coming games.
Burnley Battling for Survival With Improved Form
Burnley, on the other hand, are embroiled in a tough relegation battle with Nottingham Forest and Luton Town. With Sheffield United almost confirmed to go down, the three teams are fighting to stay out of the remaining bottom two places. Currently, Burnley sit in 19th, three points adrift of safety and 17th placed Nottingham Forest. With both teams facing each other on the final day of the season, it could potentially go down to the wire. Burnley have a tough run-in to the season as they face United, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspurs in the next three games before their showdown with Forest.
Manager Vincent Kompany has remained calm throughout the relegation battle, insisting on taking it one game at a time. The team was undoubtedly boosted by their emphatic 4-1 victory away from home against Sheffield United in the last game. That win meant that the Turf Moor side have only lost one of their last ten games, with their form drastically improving since March. It will be a tight struggle with Luton Town and Forest, but Kompany believes that his side has the necessary qualities to survive. Only time will tell if the Belgian is proven right, but for now, they focus on taking on a potentially weak Manchester United side, and aim to get a statement win on Saturday.
When & Where?
Date: Saturday, 27th April 2024.
Time: 3.00 pm GMT
Venue: Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, UK.
Match Officials
Referee: John Brooks.
Assistants: Lee Betts, Akil Howson.
Fourth official: Simon Hooper.
VAR: Peter Bankes.
Assistant VAR: Mat Wilkes.
Team News
Manchester United’s defensive woes continue as they’re left with only one fit senior center-back in Harry Maguire. Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, and Willy Kambwala are all injured and unlikely to feature on Saturday. Similarly, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are out, with Diogo Dalot likely starting at left-back.
Midfield offers some relief for the Old Trafford faithful with Mason Mount set to return after missing the last two games. However, there’s no update on Marcus Rashford, who’s expected to miss the Burnley match due to an FA Cup semi-final injury.
For Burnley, manager Vincent Kompany has a relatively healthy squad with just a few players out. Midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Nathan Redmond are sidelined with knee and hamstring injuries, respectively. Defenders Jordan Beyer and Ameen Al-Dakhil are also expected to miss the match. Forward Luca Koleosho is out with a knee injury as well.
Key Players
Bruno Fernandes
The Man United captain, Bruno Fernandes, has turned his season around after a slow start to the 2023/24 season. He’s been in fine form the last three games, scoring 8 goals and providing two assists in his last six games in all competitions.
Fernandes has taken on a leadership role recently, and was instrumental again at Old Trafford in midweek, scoring a brace against Sheffield United to secure the win.
Despite some criticism earlier in the season for a slight dip in production, Fernandes remains a key player for Manchester United. With 15 goals and 11 assists this season, the Portuguese top-scorer for his side in all competitions this season and tops the assist charts for Man United.
Jacob Bruun Larsen
The top-scorer for his side, Larsen has had quite the impact for his side since his arrival in the summer. The 25-year-old left winger was brought in by Kompany for his experience of the top-flight as well as his explosive skills on the flanks. The loanee has scored two in his last four for the Clarets, taking his tally to five in the league.
Jacob Bruun Larsen can provide some headache for the makeshift Man United defense, who have looked knackered in recent games. Man United have not kept a cleansheet in the last seven games which will certainly boost Burnley’s chances of coming away with something from the game.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United predicted XI Burnley: Andre Onana; Diogo Dalot, Casemiro, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka; Kobbie Mainoo, Christian Eriksen; Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho; Rasmus Højlund.
Burnley predicted XI vs Manchester United: Arijanet Muric; Lorenz Assignon, Dara O’Shea, Maxime Esteve, Charlie Taylor; Vitinho, Josh Cullen, Sander Berge, Jacob Bruun Larsen; Lyle Foster, Wilson Odobert.
