Manchester United will be aiming to make it three Premier League wins in a row when they travel to Turf Moor on Tuesday evening.
The Reds are currently fourth in the league table, one point ahead of fifth placed West Ham whilst struggling Burnley have won just one game all season.
United moved up to fourth in the table after the dramatic late win against West Ham two weeks ago. Marcus Rashford’s 93rd minute winner was enough to hand Ralf Rangnick’s men all three points.
Rangnick’s men head into this game off the back of a thoroughly disappointing cup result against Middlesbrough on Friday which saw United lose yet another penalty shootout.
The Champions League is the side’s only realistic chance of silverware this season. Rangnick’s side prepare to take on Atletico Madrid later this month when the two sides meet at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Before the first leg takes place on February 23, United face Southampton, Brighton & Hove Albion, Watford and Leeds. February will be an important month for the Reds as they try to tie down a place in the top four.
United are far from secure in the top four, sitting just one point ahead of West Ham whilst Arsenal and Tottenham have matches in hand over the Red Devils. Wolves are also in contention for the top four with them sat eighth in the table.
The Reds have accumulated 19 points from their 11 away games, while they are unbeaten on the road since the bruising 4-1 defeat to Watford which resulted in the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
United’s opponents missed the chance to move off the bottom of the table after their goalless draw against Watford. The Clarets also drew 0-0 with Arsenal before the international break, but the strugglers have only recorded one victory this season.
Sean Dyche’s side have won one, drawn ten and lost eight of their 19 league games leaving them on 13 points and three behind 17th-placed Norwich City.
Burnley have two games in hand on both Newcastle and Watford, so it is not quite time for panic despite their troubles this season.
Tomorrow night will not be an easy game for United with the likes of Wout Weghorst likely to be a cause for concern for the Reds’ backline.
Team News
The hosts will have Josh Brownhill back in the side after serving his suspension and he is expected to go straight back into the side.
The Clarets will again be missing Matej Vydra and Johann Berg Gudmundsson while Ashley Barnes and Charlie Taylor could be unavailable for selection.
Dyche is unlikely to make any alterations from the side that started the goalless draw against Watford last time out.
As for 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, while Eric Bailly will be unavailable due to an ankle injury.
Fred and Alex Telles are also out of the contest after both tested positive for coronavirus.
Rangnick will make changes from the side that started against Middlesbrough, with David De Gea and Anthony Elanga in line to return to the starting 11, but Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba should keep their spots.
Cristiano Ronaldo missed what proved to be a decisive penalty but he will lead the line again with Sancho expected to be replaced by Elanga.
Form Guide
Despite United’s cup exit, Rangnick’s side have been in good form in the league, gaining seven points from a possible nine in the last three matches.
In the previous round of league fixtures, the Reds beat fellow top four contenders West Ham to move into the top four.
Burnley currently occupy 20th place in the league, although they have two games in hand over the teams above them.
The Lancashire club have not won a Premier League fixture since 30 October, when they defeated Brentford 3-1 but since have suffered many postponements.
The hosts enter Tuesday’s fixture on the back of a 0-0 draw with Watford.
The last time the two sides met was December 30 when United came out 3-1 victors.
A win for United puts them onto 41 points and keeps them six points behind third placed Chelsea.
