Juan Mata Manchester United Leicester City

Man Utd Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Burnley

After back-to-back late disappointments in Bristol and Leicester, Manchester United return home to Old Trafford on Boxing Day needing to add three points to their Premier League tally for a confidence boost as much as anything else.

Saturday's late submission of two points at the King Power Stadium had Jose Mourinho fuming, with the manager slating his players' lack of maturity after the game. So Tuesday's visit of Sean Dyche's men will see the United squad thrown under the spotlight as they look to get back on track.

Although Manchester City are now out of sight thanks to their 13-point lead, United will still be hoping to keep third-placed Chelsea at arms length with a ninth home win in 10 games this season.

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MAN UTD INJURIES


Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be in contention to start after playing 68 minutes at Bristol City last Wednesday, while a late decision may be made on the fitness of Antonio Valencia after he sat out the 2-2 draw at Leicester.

Eric Bailly is out for the foreseeable future with a serious ankle injury sustained on international duty with Cote d'Ivoire which has resulted in the need for surgery, while Marouane Fellaini could still be unavailable due to a knee injury.

Michael Carrick will remain on the sidelines following a procedure to deal with an irregular heart rhythm, but it is hoped that Chris Smalling will be fit for selection having picked up a slight knock late on at the King Power.

Marouane Fellaini Manchester UnitedGetty Images

MAN UTD SUSPENSIONS


Ander Herrera has been booked four times this season and a yellow card against Burnley would see him pick up a one-match ban, while the same can be said for Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo. In fact, the Argentine has been cautioned in four of five domestic appearances this term.

Sean Dyche's side are missing James Tarkowski due to his much-discussed three-match suspension for a clash with Brighton striker Glenn Murray.


MAN UTD POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP


Jose Mourinho could make any number of changes as he looks to keep his side fresh while also correcting some of the issues which saw them drop two points so late in the evening against Leicester.

As a result, Marcus Rashford, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Luke Shaw, Matteo Darmian, Ander Herrera and Marcos Rojo are among those who could all come into contention.

Man Utd possible XI

BURNLEY TEAM NEWS


Burnley have been one of the revelations of the season so far but will have a point to prove at Old Trafford after coming out on the wrong end of a Harry Kane hat-trick against Tottenham on Saturday.

James Tarkowski's ban is a huge blow to Sean Dyche, while he will hope that Chris Wood can overcome the knee injury he suffered at Turf Moor at the weekend. If the former Leeds man doesn't make it then there will be a call-up for either Sam Vokes or Ashley Barnes in attack.

The Clarets took a point from the visit to M16 last season, so Jose Mourinho's side will be more than aware of the problems Dyche's men can cause.

Chris Wood Burnley

TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME


The match at Old Trafford kicks off at 15:00GMT on Tuesday, with no live coverage available in the UK.

In the US, watch the Premier League live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial)


BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS


  • Manchester United haven’t lost a home league game against Burnley since September 1962 (2-5), winning eight and drawing five since.

  • Manchester United have won 19 of their 23 Premier League Boxing Day games, giving them the best win ratio on this day in the competition (83%).

  • This is the highest that Burnley have been placed in the top-flight on Christmas Day since 1973-74 (3rd) and they finished that season in sixth place.

  • The 19 Premier League games involving Burnley have seen just 31 goals scored this season; fewer than any other team in the competition.

  • Manchester City are 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League ahead of Manchester United on Christmas Day – the biggest points gap between first and second place on Dec 25th in English top-flight history.

  • Both of Jose Mourinho’s home meetings with Burnley have ended as draws — 0-0 last season and 1-1 with Chelsea in February 2015. His sides have also been reduced to 10 men in both games (Ander Herrera sent off last season, Nemanja Matic in 2014-15).

  • Paul Pogba hasn't ended on the losing side in a Premier League game that he’s played in since 23rd October 2016 (vs Chelsea) — a 31-game unbeaten run before this fixture (W20 D11 L0).

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