Manchester United - Burnley 30-08-25

Initially, this was supposed to be one of those games early in the season where Manchester United would add three new points to the total. Starting the season against Arsenal is tough, but subsequent games against Fulham and Burnley are a bit more manageable. But then the season has started as the previous one ended for the Red Devils. Nothing flows as it should, and both the collective and the various team parts have major challenges. It all peaked when Grimsby from the fourth shelf sent the former superpower out of the Carabao Cup. What are we witnessing? Burnley, for their part, had a brutal start to the season with a 0-3 defeat against Spurs. It was a good thing then that Sunderland was defeated in the following round, as well as promotion in the cup in midweek. The games are close at this level, and this particular match is suddenly more open than one would have imagined a couple of weeks ago.

Manchester United – Nerves are running high these days

If Amorim is the very image of Manchester United, then the club is in a somewhat fragile state these days. On Wednesday night, the Reds were outplayed by Grimsby, and were deservedly 2-0 down at half-time. The best Ruben threw in everything he had of big names in the last 45, and they managed to force a penalty at Blundell Park. In front of ecstatic home fans, Manchester United went out, with the manager seemingly terrified and hiding behind other personnel on the bench. There is something symbolic about it all, a manager who is in the storm, but who is unable to stand on the sidelines and show leadership with his straight-backed attitude. The choice falls on a wobbly appearance at the end of the wooden bench, with his face hidden in some clammy hands. The question is whether the Portuguese will not be unemployed by Christmas - at least that is what the bookmakers claim.

The team is otherwise fumbling in the dark. The match against Arsenal wasn't too bad. They managed to fight, and the opportunity seemed to bring out the best in the team. Then came a match where they were supposed to take control against Fulham, and the level dropped considerably. It all culminated in the defeat against Grimsby. On Saturday there will be another such match where United are basically favorites. It seems to suit this team badly.

The goalkeeping situation is one of the most precarious to find a solution to. Bayindir seems completely vaccinated against dominating the field, and has looked downright dizzy on corner kicks. It becomes a dangerous situation every time, and uncertainty spreads in an otherwise porous defense. And then we have Onana. Yesterday he did it again. Messed it up in his own field, and again be a direct cause of a goal in the fleisch. There were of course several who were below par against Grimsby, but being unsure of your own goalkeeper is not a good feeling. Everything seems to be a potential goal chance for the opponent. It is tiring to play football with that feeling.

Mbeumo, Cunha and Sesko. They opened the wallet once again for Amorim, and these guys were supposed to provide the goal rush. The former scored a goal in open play against Grimsby, but then missed the decisive penalty. Cunha also missed from the chalk mark, while star striker Sesko was the tenth man for United to scramble forward and lay the ball in place. Not particularly convincing moves from the new super striker. Not everyone can be Zlatan, but some balls in the crucial situations are often preferable.

All in all, we don't know where we have Manchester United. Leny Yoro is currently the bright spot in this team, but apart from that, it seems to be dark. Talents like Mainoo and Diallo will soon have to advance in their development if they are to start getting some strings to play on. If not, they will quickly join the ranks of players who have had their careers ruined at the club. It will be extremely interesting to see what version of the Reds we see on Saturday. Work peace before the match can probably be seen for a long time.

Burnley – Do they have the level it takes to survive in the Premier League?

It was a brutal start against a hero Tottenham. Three goals in the net, and not really close to anything. The small glimmer of light must be that they got a considerable number of finishes. It was all the more gratifying for the newly promoted team that they handled Sunderland well in the following round. A 2-0 win gives some peace in the premises, and just getting the first three points is important. Belief can move mountains.

In the cup in midweek, Scott Parker's men won at home against Derby, and in that way the start of the season is not that bad. Getting through the first games with something to show for it is the alpha and omega for the way forward, and just the knowledge that you might be able to have the level inside is important. Burnley will have another test on Saturday, but the possibilities are perhaps a bit more present than what you dared to hope for.

Because if the away team at Old Trafford looks to Grimsby there is hope. United were dominated by tenacious effort, beaten all over the pitch, and were running between quick types. If Burnley can recreate any of this, one should not ignore that there may be ways to both goals and points.

Burnley advanced through solid defense and an excellent goalkeeper. The man with the apt name, Trafford, now plays for the light blues in Manchester. But there are other good players in this Burnley team. Josh Cullen in midfield is a central character, and he made a good mark for both scoring and assisting against Sunderland last time out. So did Jaidon Anthony. The winger has been to both Bournemouth and Leeds on his way, and the 25-year-old is by no means an inferior footballer. Eight goals and eight assists last year, and a player who could create a furor for many a Premier League defense. Perhaps especially on Saturday against a somewhat uncertain defensive structure?

Conclusion – David vs. Goliath

With a sling and a stone, the young shepherd boy, David, defeated the invincible giant, Goliath. We saw this on Wednesday when Grimsby defeated Manchester United with effort and will, and can lightning strike twice in the same place then? Ruben Amorim probably fears the worst.

Manchester United just have to fight back immediately. At the time of writing, after two league rounds played, the team is back to where they ended last year's season. One point out of a possible six, and again major problems scoring goals. Conceding goals, on the other hand, seems a bit easier. If this match is not won, Amorim could be finished already. Of the 29 matches he has led the team in the Premier League so far, 15 have ended in defeat. His fate is almost in overtime already.

Burnley may not win at Old Trafford. United's individual players should have the qualities to punish the newly promoted players. What does not seem so unlikely, however, is that the away team scores a goal. Because why shouldn't they? The home team is porous, and with the goalkeeping work we have seen so far, anything is possible. The game as a whole seems very difficult to predict, so we end up here, on the fact that United are unable to address their defensive gaps overnight. Burnley get a goal on Saturday, and we get bets.

England at 16:00: Manchester United - Burnley: Over 0.5 goals to Burnley (1.80)

Alternative bet
England at 16:00: Manchester United – Burnley: Both teams to score (1.94)