Manchester United vs Burnley: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Date: 27/04/24

Kick-off time: 15:00

Venue: Old Trafford
With five games to go, Man United are in seventh place in the table and in a very good position to finish in a European spot.  It has been a largely disappointing campaign for the Red Devils, with their pursuit of Champions League football failing in recent weeks.  They sit 10 points behind Spurs in fifth, meaning that sixth is the highest they will likely finish.  On 50 points, they are level with Newcastle heading into the final stretch.  However, any dropped points would allow a host of teams behind them ready to take advantage.  Should they lose, they could fall to as low as ninth in the standings.

Burnley, in contrast, are desperate for three points to keep their fading hopes of Premier League survival alive.  They are only three points behind Nottingham Forest in 17th, but there is little time remaining, so they need to pick up some points in this one.

At Old Trafford, United are not as dominant as they have been in the past.  They have won eight games at home, but have also lost five, offering Burnley some hope of causing an upset.  Erik ten Hag’s men have not kept a clean sheet in four games, and have conceded at least two goals in the last three.  His team have also not won a league game since the beginning of March.  The Clarets will look to take advantage of their opponents’ inconsistency, but they do not have a reliable goalscorer.  Only one player has scored more than four goals which is Jacob Bruun Larsen with five.  The hosts will look to the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, who has been in good form recently.

Since 2020, these two teams have met six times in the Premier League.  Unsurprisingly, it is Man United who have dominated with four wins and one loss.  The one defeat was Burnley’s famous 2-0 win at Old Trafford in 2020, the first time they had won at the stadium since 1962.  The reverse fixture earlier this season was a narrow 1-0 win for the visitors United.  The winning goal came on the stroke of half-time, with Bruno Fernandes the goalscorer.

Man United

Jonny Evans could return after a short absence, as could Raphael Varane in a big boost for the defence. Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof are still out, but there is hope they will all return before the end of the season.  Scott Mctominay was substituted with an injury at the weekend so his availability is in doubt.

Burnley

Luca Koleosho has a chance to return this season following a knee injury.  Aside from the season-ending injuries, there are no other injury concerns for Vincent Kompany. 

Man United
In their last five games, Man United have won one and drawn four.  It has been an unbeaten run for United, but one devoid of multiple wins. Brentford were their hosts in the first game of this stretch, and they were lucky to leave with a point as the Bees were on top and had 31 shot attempts.  Mason Mount scored in the 96th minute, but the Bees responded immediately as Kristoffer Ajer struck to snatch a late point.  They were then on the wrong end of a 4-3 result when they played Chelsea, in what was a remarkable game at Stamford Bridge.  The Blues took an early 2-0 lead, but the deficit was cut in half after Alejandro Garnacho pounced on an error. The game was tied when

Bruno Fernandes headed home at the back post, before Garnacho scored his second from a sublime Antony cross. With the game deep into stoppage time, Noni Madueke was brought down by Diogo Dalot in the box which allowed Cole Palmer to level it from the spot in the 100th minute.  The game was not over and Chelsea took a quick corner to an unmarked Palmer who smashed it goalwards. It deflected off McTominay past Andre Onana to condemn United to the latest defeat in Premier League history. 

They responded with a 2-2 draw at home to Liverpool, despite producing no shots on goal in the first half.  Luis Diaz put the Reds ahead, but Fernandes capitalised on an error to score from long range. Kobbie Mainoo produced a sublime finish to put United in front, but a Salah penalty in the final minutes ensured the points were shared.  Another point in league action followed, as they once again drew 2-2, this time at Bournemouth.  The hosts were the much superior side in terms of shot creation and production, attempting 20 to their opponents’ eight, however United edged the possession.  The Cherries went ahead early through Solanke, but this was cancelled out by Bruno Fernandes just past the half hour mark.  The lead was regained before half-time thanks to a Justin Kluivert strike, but the points were shared as Fernandes grabbed his second from the penalty spot, after the referee awarded a controversial penalty.

Their most recent game was against Coventry in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley. They advanced to the final after a penalty shootout win.  The game was tied 3-3 after extra-time, as United blew a three-goal lead.

Burnley

In their last five games, Burnley have lost one and drawn three.  Despite losing just once, Burnley have been unable to make much ground on those above them due to multiple draws.  However, the first draw of this stretch was an impressive 2-2 result at Chelsea, despite having 10 men.  Cole Palmer converted from the penalty spot which was conceded by Lorenz Assignon.  This challenge consequently saw him see a second yellow card.  The Clarets were able to find an equaliser through a fine finish from Josh Cullen, but Palmer put Chelsea ahead once more.  Vincent Kompany’s men refused to lie down, with Dara O’Shea’s late header securing an unlikely point.  

Another point followed, this time at home to Wolves, They took the lead through Jacob Bruun Larsen, but this goal was cancelled out by Rayan Ait-Nouri in first half stoppage time. It was a very even game reflected in the final scoreline which was 1-1.  In perhaps their most important game of the run, Burnley lost 1-0 at Everton as they missed the opportunity to close the gap on the Toffees ahead of them.  The Clarets were the dominant side in possession, but could only manage one shot on target .  Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goal on the stroke of half-time proved to be the difference, and O’Shea’s red card midway through the second half made his side’s task much tougher.

The search for a win continued, as they picked up another 1-1 draw, this time at home to Brighton.  It was goalless for the majority, and despite the visitors attempting 20 shots, it was Burnley who went ahead lat on through Josh Brownhill.  Their lead lasted just five minutes though as goalkeeper Arijanet Muric scored an own goal.  Last time out they faced bottom side Sheffield United, and they convincingly won 4-1.  Larsen, Assignon, Lyle Foster and Johann Berg Gudmundsson were all on the scoresheet.

Burnley are desperately fighting for survival and travel to Man United in need of three points.  They have already picked up a point at Stamford Bridge, so will have hopes of picking up another unlikely point.  However, we expect United to have too much for their opponents - Man United 3-1 Burnley

Man United vs Burnley will not be available to watch on TV in the UK.