It’s tough being a Manchester United manager these days, after Mourinho was left fuming at the post-match press conference in the wake of his worst managerial home defeat. With back to back defeats in the league the pressure in on Jose Mourinho to desperately get his side back on winning track, it is likely we might see changes ringing in against Burnley.
United desperately need a win against Burnley and even a scrappy 1-0 would be enough to lighten the mood around the club , players and the Boss himself.
Provisional Squad against Burnley:
Goalkeepers: De Gea, Segio Romero, Lee Grant
Defenders: Matteo Darmian, Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling , Marcus Rojo, Luke Shaw, Ashley Young
Midfielders: Fred, Andrieas Pereira , McTominay , Ander Herrera , Paul Pogba, Juan Mata
Attackers: Anthony Martial , Jesse Lingard ,Marcus Rashford ,Alexis Sanchez , Romelu Lukaku
Team News:
Jose Mourinho will have a near fully fit squad to face Burnley . Diogo Dalot and Marcos Rojo are the only doubtful members not expected to be available for selection against Burnley. Matic and Valencia were back in action against Spurs , after recovering from their respective injuries pre-season.
Predicted Line-up Against Burnley:
Mourinho is likely to revert back to his tried and tested 4-3-3 formation, after his idea of a back three against Spurs backfired miserably. This game could define the future of Mourinho as the United Manager , a loss at Turf Moor might just prove to be catastrophic and cost him his job.
Goalkeeper: David de Gea
David De Gea has let in seven goals in three games so far, and none of those have been goalkeeping errors. Even with his poor start to the season, he still remains impeccably vital to the Red Devils. He is indispensable to the team and will surely remain in goal vs Burnley
Defense: Antonio Valencia , Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw should be the first-name on the team sheet after putting in some excellent displays in the first three games of the season. Valencia should also retain his spot against Burnley following his return from injury.
With Marcos Rojo unlikely to be fully fit by Sunday and Phil Jones being forced off through hamstring injury against Spurs, Eric Bailly could return to replace the Englishman at centre-back after his nightmare performance against Brighton. Victor Lindelof should end up on the bench again, after his shocking performance against Brighton and equally poor display against Spurs, after coming on for Phil Jones.
Midfield: Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Fred
Matic wasn’t fully fit for the Tottenham game , but is expected to retain his place. Fred had a good game against Tottenham, and looks to be getting better. He was very active offensively and tracking back when needed , should retain his place in the starting eleven.
Pogba didn’t produce his best against Tottenham ,but should retain his place for Sunday . United need a stellar performance from him, he still United’s main man for Burnley clash
Forwards: Jesse Lingard , Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez
Sanchez should return to the starting eleven. Sanchez for sure makes Shaw look more lively , as he drifts inside and allows Shaw to make the overlapping run and deliver crosses for Lukaku .
Lukaku has been poor in both the games he has started , but United don’t have any leader in attack and so the Big Belgian is expected to lead the attacking line against Burnley.
What United lack is a right-winger , Mata has been decent on the right side, but tends to drift a llot central. Owing to the defense frailities , Lingard might just get the nod ahead of Mata . He had a decent outing against Spurs and so should retain his spot against Burnley.
