Burnley vs Man Utd Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man + Predicted Score

Manchester United go searching for their first win of the season when they take on Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday lunchtime.

Louis van Gaal has endured a difficult start to life at Old Trafford with just one point to show from his opening two games following a home loss to Swansea and a 1-1 draw away at Sunderland last weekend.

The former champions also crashed out of the Capital One Cup in humiliating fashion with MK Dons thrashing them 4-0 at the Stadium MK during the week, so van Gaal will be desperate to get the season back on track with a win tomorrow.

Record signing of Angel Di Maria has certainly lifted the mood among the United fan base and the Argentinean is expected to be thrown straight into the thick of things this weekend.

Burnley are sure to make life difficult for the former Real Madrid man but it’s been a tough start to life back in the Premier League for Sean Dyche’s men. They were soundly beaten 3-1 by Chelsea on the opening day before going down 1-0 to Swansea last weekend, so they will be keen to get their first points on the board tomorrow.

According to Betfair odds, United are still favourites to pick up the three points and it’s easy to see why when you consider the vast array of attacking talent available to van Gaal. So despite their patchy start to the new season, the bookmakers are expecting the former champions to head back to Manchester with their first three points of the campaign.

Team news

Burnley will once again be without striker Sam Vokes as he continues to nurse a long-term knee injury.

Otherwise, Dyche has a fully-fit squad to choose from and is expected to make a number of changes from the side that played Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.

Louis van Gaal has mounting injury problems to deal with for the game with Shinji Kagawa becoming the 10th player to be ruled out after suffering concussion in midweek.

Marcos Rojo continues to wait for his debut as he’s still not resolved his work permit issues, while Chris Smalling is out with a hamstring problem. Jonny Evans came through the game in midweek unscathed so is likely to continue at centre-back.

Luke Shaw, Maroune Fellaini, Michael Carrick, Rafael, Jesse Lingard and Ander Herrera are among those unavailable through injury, so Tom Cleverley may have to continue in midfield despite talk of a move away from the club.

Van Gaal is set to hand Angel Di Maria his debut and the attacker could be deployed from the left-wing, with Ashley Young the man to drop out.

Likely Line-Ups

Key Man

Angel Di Maria: If he starts, all eyes will be on the Argentinean attacker as he makes his debut following his big-money move from Real Madrid. Burnley away will certainly be different to the Bernabeu!

Predicted Score

Burnley 1-2 Man Utd: It’s been a difficult start for both clubs this season but despite their injury worries, when you look at the attacking players on show, you’d have to think United will have too much for Burnley to handle.

What team would you like to see start and what’s your predicted score?