Premier League: Burnley vs Manchester United match preview

A look ahead to Saturday’s Premier League clash at Turf Moor

Louis van Gaal's Manchester United travel to Burnley (Getty Images)

The freefall continues apace. Louis van Gaal was meant to change everything, to curb the decline that began under David Moyes. But the Dutchman has begun in much the same manner as his predecessor, with tepid performances against lesser opposition and a loss and a draw to kick off the campaign. In fact, United hit a new low, yes another one, on Tuesday night as they crashed out of the League Cup having been turned over 4-0 by MK Dons – a team who only came into existence in 2004.

In Van Gaal’s post-match interview you had to double check that the words weren’t coming from the mouth of Moyes. “We created a lot of chances, but we were not lucky" seems a particularly Moysian refrain and will hardly fill fans with confidence for remainder of the season.

Playing most people’s candidates for relegation would normally be seen as an ideal opportunity to bounce back. But at a time where United are still plumbing new depths, you can’t help but feel that the relative weakness of their opponents here merely serves to ramp up the pressure on the shoulders of players long since drained of confidence. Angel di Maria is the man who has been brought in to galvanise the side and looks set to make his debut here.

Burnley, then, won’t be showing the visitors too much respect and will be looking to pull off a repeat of their home victory against United early on in their only previous Premier League campaign in 2009-10. They are yet to get off the mark this season, losing twice in the league and suffering a disappointing exit from the Capital One Cup at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday in midweek. Their home form will be crucial in gathering the points needed to avoid relegation as they shipped so many points on the road during 2009-10.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 12.45pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Man United 3 (Berbatov, Rooney, Diouf) Burnley 0, Premier League, January 2010

Burnley 1 (Blake) Man United 0, Premier League, August 2009

Burnley 0 Man United 2 (Forlan, Solskjaer), League Cup, December 2002

STATS…

Burnley have a 100% record against United on home soil in the Premier League

Prior to their win at Turf Moor in 2009, the last time Burnley beat United was back in 1968

Juan Mata has now scored 7 goals in 17 league appearances for United

Burnley conceded the least number of goals in the Championship last season (37).

ODDS…

Burnley to win: 6.6

Man United to win: 1.58

Draw: 4.4

TV:

Live on BT Sport 1 at 12.45pm. Highlights on BBC1 at 10.20pm.