Man Utd Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Burnley

Tom Maston

Man Utd Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Burnley image

Marcus Rashford's strike in extra-time against Anderlecht pn Thursday kept Manchester United in the hunt for the Europa League as they remain fighting on two fronts.

Despite seemingly putting the majority of their eggs in the European basket, Jose Mourinho's side are very much in the picture for a top-four finish in the Premier League following their recent win over Chelsea.

'Rooney has reached the end at Man Utd'

Either way, the Portuguese is desperate to qualify for the Champions League, and a win over Burnley on Sunday would see United move to within one point of rivals Manchester City in fourth ahead of the derby next week.

The Red Devils remain unbeaten in the English top-flight since October, but a trip to Turf Moor has proven difficult for the majority of sides to visit this term.


MAN UTD INJURIES


Despite winning through on Thursday evening, United's victory did come at a significant cost.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic limped off in the closing stages with a sickening knee injury after an awkward landing and looks set for a number of weeks on the sidelines.

Marcos Rojo, too, suffered from knee trouble, leading to him being stretchered off midway through the first half, and he joins fellow central defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones on the sidelines.

Juan Mata will also miss out after being ruled out for the season following groin surgery, but otherwise United have a clean bill of health following the return of Wayne Rooney to the bench against Anderlecht.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Manchester United


MAN UTD SUSPENSIONS


With the latest Premier League yellow card amnesty having passed, both teams are well in the clear when it comes to suspensions. Besides any red cards accrued between now and the season's end, only players who have been booked 15 times over the course of the campaign can now be handed a ban.


MAN UTD POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP


Ibrahimovic's injury means Rashford will likely return to a central role up front while Daley Blind is set to replace the injured Rojo alongside Eric Bailly in defence.

Elsewhere, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini could be handed starts after being substitutes on Thursday while Ashley Young and Matteo Darmian could earn run-outs after impressive showings against Chelsea and with the Manchester derby on the horizon.

Man Utd Poss XI


BURNLEY TEAM NEWS


Of all the teams in the Premier League, Burnley are arguably the easiest to predict when it comes to team selection.

Sean Dyche has one of the smaller squads in the top-flight at his disposal, but an impeccable fitness record means he rarely makes changes to his starting XI.

Dean Marney and Johann Berg Gudmondsson remain sidelined with long-term knee injuries but otherwise the Clarets are set to be at full-strength, with Michael Keane set to start against his former club as reports claim he is on the verge of a return to Old Trafford. 

Michael Keane Burnley


BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS


  • Manchester United have scored just once in their last four league games at Turf Moor, with that goal coming from Lou Macari in April 1976.

  • Indeed, the last four league meetings between these two sides at Turf Moor have produced just two goals in total.

  • Tom Heaton made 11 saves against Manchester United in Burnley’s 0-0 draw at Old Trafford in October, his joint-most in a Premier League game this season.

  • Manchester United’s unbeaten run now stands at 22 games (W12 D11) – every other Premier League team to go this long unbeaten in a single season has gone on to win the league in that campaign.

  • The Red Devils have won 30 points in 14 away games this season (W9 D3 L2). Only in four Premier League seasons have they taken more at this stage (1993/94, 2006/07, 2011/12 and 2012/13).

  • After 20 Premier League games without scoring, Marcus Rashford has scored in successive matches. He’s never scored in three consecutive Premier League games before.


TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME


The game at Turf Moor kicks off at 14:15 UK time, with live television coverage on Sky Sports 1 in the UK.  

Tom Maston