Man Utd v Burnley predictions: Manchester United moans may be set to get louder

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Manchester United v Burnley in the Premier League on Thursday.

Where to watch

Amazon Prime, 8.15pm Thursday

Best bet

Under 2.5 goals
1pt 6-5 bet365, Betfair, BoyleSports

Team news

Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes is suspended and Paul Pogba (thigh) remains absent.

Burnley
Ashley Barnes is injured but Maxwell Cornet should return after a spell on the sidelines.

Match preview

Manchester United players were called out as 'whingers' by exasperated pundit Gary Neville after their underwhelming efforts in a 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Monday and further criticism could be coming their way after the home match with Burnley which has the potential to be a dull affair.

The Red Devils have taken seven points from three games under Ralf Rangnick but there has been a steady decline in their performances since they won 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace in the German's first match at the helm.

United had David De Gea to thank after an unconvincing 1-0 success at Norwich and were fortunate to snatch a point on Tyneside after delivering an error-strewn display which lacked intensity and cohesion.

Newcastle looked the more threatening team from the start and were still pushing for the win in the closing stages despite losing both of their star attackers, Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin, to injuries.

United should be capable of so much better and Rangnick is already coming under pressure to convert a bunch of talented individuals into a well-structured team.

His favoured 4-2-2-2 formation was hailed as a success after the victory over Palace but its' limitations were exposed at Carrow Road and St James' Park and there may be a temptation to try something different.

United tried to play with more width in the second half at Newcastle and managed to get enough quality service into substitute Edinson Cavani for the Uruguayan to score the equalising goal.

Cavani seems likely to be rewarded with a start in this match and it makes sense for United to play to his strengths by getting more crosses into the box.

Bruno Fernandes is unavailable due to suspension, further increasing the possibility of United going with a more pacy, athletic attack, but there are no guarantees that any changes will bring about a dramatic improvement.

Few teams in the Premier League are better equipped to defend crosses than Burnley, who have reliable centre-backs James Tarkowski and Ben Mee at the heart of their four-man rearguard.

Three successive postponements have kept the Clarets inactive since December 12 – when they drew 0-0 at home to West Ham.

But Burnley's survival hopes have improved in that time because none of their principal relegation rivals – Watford, Newcastle and Norwich – have picked up any victories.

Sean Dyche's men have posted just one league win this season but they have lost just once in their last seven league fixtures and will view the United game as a decent chance to add to their tally.

Burnley's last three games combined have generated just one goal and another solid defensive display can keep contribute to a low-scoring outcome at Old Trafford.

Key stat

Six of Manchester United's last seven games have featured fewer than three goals

Inside info

Manchester United

Penalty taker Cristiano Ronaldo
Free-kick wizard Cristiano Ronaldo
Set-piece aerial threat Harry Maguire
Card magnet Scott McTominay

Burnley

Penalty taker Chris Wood
Free-kick wizardDwight McNeil
Set-piece aerial threatChris Wood
Card magnetJames Tarkowski

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