Manchester United's quest for European qualification continues on Saturday, with relegation-threatened Burnley heading to Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag's side kept their top six hopes firmly alive with a midweek victory over Sheffield United, though the win wasn't without a couple of scares. United twice trailed to the league's bottom side, only for a Bruno Fernandes double to set up a 4-2 success.

It has been a tough season off the back of last year's third-place finish, with United suffering an early Champions League exit. They won't have a chance for redemption in that competition next term, but a strong finish could impact the calibre of signing they're able to attract in part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's first summer transfer window.

There has been plenty of noise around the club, whether about former players' input or the form of the current crop. Here are Mirror Football's latest lines from around Old Trafford.

Keane slammed by Antonio

West Ham striker Michail Antonio has labelled Roy Keane a "dinosaur" after the former Manchester United star took aim at the Jamaica international's work on the Footballer's Football podcast. Keane had labelled podcasts a potential distraction for active players, saying "I don't think you should laugh for a week or two if you've been beaten.”

Antonio used the format to address Keane's comments head-on. “It's dinosaur mentality because when he [Keane] was playing, every manager, every fan, everybody, constantly said, ‘Focus on your football'," he said.

“‘Go to sleep with a football in your arms - the only thing you're allowed to think about is football. Your wife deals with your kids, don't play with your kids - football’. That's what it was when he was playing

“Obviously in time players who played with him went bankrupt because all they did think about was football and that's all it was. Now, obviously, footballers are focusing on their football, can do their football, but can also focus on other things: business, fashion, some are rappers now. People focus on other things."

Ten Hag bans papers at press conference

Mirror Football was banned from asking questions to Erik ten Hag at the manager's press conference ahead of Saturday's match. The Sun and the Manchester Evening News received the same treatment before updating reporters on team news for the Burnley clash.

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Mason Mount is in line to return for Manchester United (
Image:
Manchester United via Getty Imag)

"Same squad [as for the Sheffield United game] but apart from Mason Mount," Ten Hag confirmed. "He will return into the squad. I think we will see [Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Anthony Martial] all in the season.

"They all returned onto the pitch. Next week, they have to make the step into team training and they can be available for the last weeks. They progress well."

Rashford's answer after criticism

Marcus Rashford has hit out at social media criticism of his Manchester United form, claiming it has verged on abuse. The England international spoke up after a fan came to his defence following vocal criticism in recent weeks.

"I appreciate your support! It is abuse and has been for months. Enough is enough," he wrote. Rashford scored a career-best 30 goals last season but only has eight this term, with one fan saying "Abuse is not okay, but criticism is," but manager Ten Hag came to his defence.

"I have a lot of sympathy for him," the Dutchman told reporters. "So last season, I think he had the best season he has had in his career, he scored 30 goals, and you see what he is capable of.

"Then this season, he didn't give the performances, and people are very critical, and I think we have to back him. Everyone should back him and push him to get back to the levels he was last year."

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