Man United face Burnley with chance to go top of premier league

Photo: Bruno Fernandes and Anthony Martial could prove a handful for the Burnley defence at Turf Moor today. (Getty Images) 

Second place Manchester United have the chance to go top of the premier league over rivals Liverpool today, should they avoid defeat against Burnley is a rescheduled fixture from the opening weekend of the season.

The fixture was originally rescheduled due to European commitments that extended United’s 2019-2020 season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team currently trail Liverpool solely on goal difference with both teams locked on 33 points and last topped the league after New Year in 2013, the last time they won the league.

A draw is enough for United to claim outright leadership of the league ahead of their trip to Anfield on Sunday, while a win for 16^th place Burnley would see them draw level on 19 points with Newcastle, but more importantly, take them further away from the relegation zone.

United have been the away kings in the premier league this season, winning six and draw one of their away fixtures and with their great record at Turf Moor will go into the contest with confidence. The last time the two teams met at that venue in December of 2019, United ran out 2-0 winners.

However, the last time the teams met last season was at Old Trafford with Burnley scoring an historic 2-0 away win. Sean Dyche will be hoping to repeat that feat at home this time around.

But Dyche will know that his team may be in for a tough night should United turn up as Solskjaer’s men have not lost in their last ten matches, winning eight and drawing two. A run that has seen them move from 15^th place to joint top of the league on points.

Bruno Fernandes has inspired a potent United attack which boasts the best counterattack in top flight football so Dyche will be wary of the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial along with the returning Edinson Cavani who has completed his three game ban for a racial slur expressed on social media.

First choice goalkeeper Nick Pope is available for Burnley after recovering from an ankle knock which is good news for Dyche as his team faces the second most lethal attack in the league. United has scored 33 goals from 16 games, while Burnley have managed only 9 from 15 games.