Game Week 3 Predictions: United to win against Burnley

Man United seek first league win vs Burnley after poor start and Cup exit. Amorim under pressure, but they expect a response. Verdict: United to win.

Manchester United must beat Burnley to get their season started after the embarrassment of the League Cup in midweek. (Photo credit: GOAL)

 Manchester United vs Burnley

Old Trafford

3:00pm

Ruben Amorim isn’t on thin ice as much as people think. He cannot be sacked right now regardless of what the result looks like; however, he must get a grip and give the fans something to cheer.

The Red Devils have had a poor start to the season again, losing their opener at home to Arsenal before losing their lead at Craven Cottage to settle for a 1-1 draw and then, an embarrassing League Cup exit at the hands of Grimsby, a fourth-tier side.

How bad can it get for Manchester United? They’re 16th on the log already with one point and cannot afford to lose this game to Burnley. All the tinkering in the world must come into play for Amorim; this is his chance to get the fans on his side again.

Burnley won at home against Sunderland last weekend, recording their first win in the top flight at the second time of asking after the opening-day hammering at Spurs; however, the Clarets followed up with a Carabao Cup win in midweek, beating Derby County 2-1.

It took almost half of the season for the newly promoted side to get three wins last season, but it has taken just two game weeks to achieve that this season, a far cry from what we saw in the last two seasons. Burnley want to stay in the league; this kind of fixture is one they need to boost confidence.

On paper, this should be a walk in the park for Manchester United, but the version we have seen down the years can’t guarantee anything. A side that couldn’t beat a League 2 side shouldn’t be confident going into a Premier League game regardless of the opposition; however, no two games are the same.

Scott Parker has just one job: keep things simple, and you just might find a chink in United’s armour. The Red Devils aren’t the strongest right now, and their confidence is at an all-time low; this is Burnley’s chance of earning something at Old Trafford.

Burnley is expected to keep the same shape that beat Sunderland; they must find ways to mix free-flowing football with a pragmatic approach as demanded by the game. They cannot have a go at United or defend for 90 minutes; they must mix and match.

United could start Benjamin Sesko, who left many bewildered in midweek. A big-money signing of a striker waiting till the tenth opportunity to play a penalty reeks of poor mentality. The Slovenian needs a goal for his own confidence, and if there’s any game in which he needs to get it, it’s this one.

Verdict: United to win