Fresh from a humiliating midweek exit in the EFL Cup, Manchester United return to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon to face newly promoted Burnley in their latest Premier League test. The game marks the first meeting between the two sides since April 2024, when Burnley held the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw in Manchester.
United’s defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town in the cup has added fuel to the growing concerns surrounding Ruben Amorim’s tenure. The Red Devils were stunned at Blundell Park, falling two goals behind inside the first half-hour. Though Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire managed to drag the game to penalties, Mbeumo’s miss in a marathon 12-11 shootout sealed a shocking exit for Amorim’s men.
That loss extended United’s poor run, as they remain winless in their first three matches of the season after defeats to Arsenal and a draw with Fulham. It has left Amorim under immense pressure, with his win percentage at just 35.5%—the lowest of any permanent United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson.
Despite the club spending nearly £200 million on new attacking options this summer, the Portuguese coach has admitted that “something has to change,” though whether he is referring to tactics, mentality, or himself remains a matter of debate.
There is at least some comfort for United in their strong record against newly promoted teams, with the Red Devils unbeaten in their last 23 league games in such fixtures since a 4-1 loss at Watford in 2021, which ended Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign. However, Old Trafford has not been a fortress lately, with United losing eight of their last 13 league matches at home and conceding 21 goals in the process.
Burnley, meanwhile, arrive in Manchester with growing confidence. After a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham in their opening Premier League fixture, Scott Parker’s side bounced back with a 2-0 win over Sunderland and followed that up with a dramatic 2-1 EFL Cup victory over Derby County, secured by Oliver Sonne’s stoppage-time strike.
Parker praised his side’s resilience and was particularly pleased with how the cup game gave valuable minutes to new signings and players returning from injury.
The Clarets’ primary goal this season is survival, having bounced between relegation and promotion over the past four years. Ending August with back-to-back Premier League victories would mark a significant step in their fight to stay up. While they enter this clash as underdogs, Burnley have a surprisingly decent record at Old Trafford, avoiding defeat in more than half of their nine Premier League visits—a feat matched only by Chelsea and Manchester City.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Lisandro Martinez remains unavailable for Manchester United as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee problem, while Noussair Mazraoui is edging closer to full fitness after a thigh injury, though Saturday’s clash is expected to come too soon for him.
Ruben Amorim made wholesale changes in midweek, and another reshuffle is on the cards. Goalkeeper Andre Onana, who came under heavy criticism after the shock defeat to Grimsby, may drop out for Altay Bayindir, though the Turkish stopper has also endured an uncertain start to life at Old Trafford. In defence, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw are all pushing for recalls.
Captain Bruno Fernandes should take his usual place in midfield, likely alongside either Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte. Fernandes has a strong record against newly-promoted sides, directly contributing to 10 goals in his last eight league appearances against them.
Up front, Benjamin Sesko could lead the line again after earning his first start in midweek, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha expected to flank him in attack. Both new recruits have been brought in to add sharpness and creativity to a side that has struggled for consistency.
Burnley, meanwhile, are still without long-term absentees Zeki Amdouni, Manuel Benson and Jordan Beyer, while Connor Roberts is nearing a return but is unlikely to be risked this weekend. Summer signings Armando Broja, Axel Tuanzebe and Bashir Humphreys all featured in the EFL Cup win during the week, and Scott Parker could include them again in the matchday squad.
The Clarets are expected to return to a more familiar starting XI, similar to the one that beat Sunderland, with experienced names such as Martin Dubravka, Hannibal Mejbri and Kyle Walker in contention. Josh Cullen and Jaidon Anthony, who both found the net last weekend, will also be pushing hard for a place in the side as Burnley aim to frustrate United at Old Trafford once more.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Bayindir; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Walker, Humphreys, Esteve, Ekdal, Hartman; Mejbri, Ugochukwu, Cullen, Anthony; Foster
EXPERT PREDICTION
Manchester United 2-1 Burnley
Last edited:
