During the press-conference before the trip to West Ham, Van Gaal talked about remembering the Flowers of Manchester and the style that they have played with. The flair, creativity and genuine passion for attack. However his words were far more reality on Sunday – boring United, expensive flops, Rooney out of position and Van Persie running out of batteries.
The media has been brutal, hardly an hour passed since then without criticizing the club and it has been like this all season long. Van Gaal seems unfazed – he has a goal and will achieve it, sacrificing everything. However a home game against a bottom club such as Burnley could mean a few changes being made. Will the Iron Tulip show the bench to some underperformers or will he continue with same pragmatism – that remains to be seen.
Burnley threw away a two goal lead against West Brom during the weekend, but Sean Dyche seemed positive as that stopped a run of three straight defeats. The side, which everyone singled out as relegation favourite before the start of the season sits one point above the relegation places. Some battling displays against the likes of City and Liverpool show that they won’t go down without a fight. Playing rigid 4-4-2 with emphasis on defence and press in the final third, this Burnley team is very compact and hard working.
Injury News
Carrick’s injury is still the only one injured for United, while Luke Shaw misses through suspension.
Dean Marney may be a subject to a late fitness test after limping of on Sunday, Matty Taylor (calf) and Stephen Ward (ankle) will miss the game. Kevin Long is the only long term problem with ACL injury.
One to Watch:
Danny Ings – Championship player of the year with 21 goals in 40 appearances. The Englishman has certainly been the standout performer. Heavily linked with Liverpool during the winter, he seems determined to drag the Claret and Blues to survival. Young, hardworking with an eye for a goal (8/21) he certainly poses a danger for United’s defence.
Predicted Line-ups:
Manchester United (4-4-2): DDG; Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Rojo; Blind, Feillani, Herrera-Mata; Rooney-Wilson
Cambridge United (4-4-2): Heaton; Trippier, Shackell, Keane, Mee; Boyd, Jones, Marney, Arfield; Barnes, Ings
Last Meeting: Burnley-Manchester United 0:0
Last season on August 30th lack of chances and creativity from both sides produced a goalless draw. Let’s hope for a bit more this time around.
Score Prediction: Manchester United – Cambridge United 2:0
United are the second best home side in the league and they have shown willingness and resolve to find the win on number of occasions. With the visitors being one of the worst away sides, this one should be a home win.
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