4-2-3-1 Manchester United Predicted Lineup To Face Burnley: Smalling And Rashford To Start?

Manchester United have one of the toughest away trips this season, this weekend, when they travel to Turf Moor, to face a Burnley side, that has not been at their best in recent games. Having lost all of their last three games in all competitions, Burnley, who sit 7^th, are now just within three points of Leicester City in the 8^th place in the points table.

The Red Devils managed to take just a point from the reverse fixture not too long ago but have managed two wins and draw since. They are also just three points better off Chelsea, who are slowly catching up to the 2^nd place in the points table.

Jose Mourinho is busy in the transfer market but will settle for nothing less than three points. He might field his most attacking unit and here is his predicted lineup for this game:

Team News:

The Red Devils have missed the services of defenders Eric Bailly and Daley Blind, both of whom are long-term absentees, along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Michael Carrick, all of whom are also absent for this game. Ashley Young is finally back in training along with Marouane Fellaini and will give the manager a few choices for his starting XI.

Expected lineup (4-2-3-1):

Defense:

Spanish star David de Gea is easily one of the best shot-stoppers in the league and is the undisputed no.1 for Manchester United this season. He will hope to have a comfortable game and so will the defenders in front of him. With Bailly out injured and Victor Lindelof not showing enough promise, Mourinho has had to stick with an all-English CB partnership in recent games.

Both Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have their frailties, which could be exposed by the hosts. However, the visitors will have the experience of Antonio Valencia at right-back and Ashley Young at left-back, who will look to add width in attack.

Midfield:

Serbian star Nemanja Matic has done a superb job, giving French midfielder Paul Pogba some freedom in the final third. With the Clarets expected to sit back and defend, the dynamics of this partnership could well decide Manchester United’s fate in this game.

Attack:

Jesse Lingard was exceptional in December and deserves to keep his place as a no.10 playing just behind Romelu Lukaku, who will have no space or time on the ball against Burnley. They will be aided by the pace and skill of youngsters Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, who should both start together for just the 3^rd time this season.

Here is how they might line up: