Clarets Mad - Clarets v Manchester United, English Premier League Match Preview.
Venue: Old Trafford Stadium, Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Manchester M16 0RA.
Kick-off – 15.00 – 27th April 2024.
The latest batch of EPL match results means that Burnley, Nottingham Forest, and Luton Town are the final two out of three clubs trying their best not to join Sheffield United in being relegated into next season’s EFL’s Championship.
After Everton’s Wednesday night 2-0 demolition of Liverpool’s title ambitions Sean Dyche’s team appear safe and despite the Clarets’ Saturday opponents twice falling behind to Sheffield United, they showed the kind of spirit Erik ten Hag has been trying to install in his expensively assembled squad.
All of this means Burnley really do need to better Coventry City’s astonishing display against the Red Devils in an absorbing FA Cup semi-final last weekend. United emerged from the week with two much-needed wins from their last two games, but it is eminently possible the physical and mental toll taken out of the United team may play into Vincent Kompany’s hands.
Burnley have lost only one game in their last seven and relegation could yet be avoided but they must leave Old Trafford unbeaten if they are to do so. Ten Hag’s Reds still hold aspirations of acquiring serious European football for next season, so it’s all to play for when the whistle blows at three o’clock at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
One’s to watch: United with their litany of attacking talent and Burnley with Wilson Odobert, Lyle Foster, and David Fofana all in good form this game could well produce a goal glut on Saturday afternoon.
Verdict: Burnley need to produce, United need to win, so I’m going for a highly entertaining 3-3 draw.
Footnote: It has been revealed that A furious Vincent Kompany was shown a red card after describing referee Darren England as a “f*****g cheat” during Burnley’s controversial draw with Chelsea. Refereeing and VAR also had a crucial role in United’s FA Cup victory when a decisive decision to rule out Coventry’s last gasp winning “goal” was ruled out by the width of a toenail to force the game into a penalty shoot-out.
Let’s hope this motley crew are not the subject of even more media scrutiny than usual at five o’clock on Saturday afternoon. With Brooks in charge anything can happen.
Referee: John Brooks. Assistants: Lee Betts, Akil Howson. Fourth official: Simon Hooper. VAR: Peter Bankes. Assistant VAR: Mat Wilkes.
Whatever the outcome of Saturday’s match, if you are attending - enjoy the game. (TEC).
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