50 PL Opponents: Bradford to Burnley

To mark Manchester United facing a 50th different club in the Premier League, following Luton Town's promotion, we're recalling our record against each one and showing the highlights from some classic meetings.

BRADFORD CITY

Although we have faced Bradford 51 times in our history, only four of these meetings have been in the Premier League. The Reds won all of them without conceding a single goal, scoring 17 times. The Bantams have been absent from the top flight since getting relegated at the end of the 2000/01 campaign and will play in the fourth tier again next season, after their promotion bid under United legend Mark Hughes faltered in the League Two play-offs.

Classic match: Bradford 0 United 4 (1999/00)
There have been plenty of thumping scorelines against the West Yorkshire outfit across our encounters, but one in particular lives fondly in the memory of United fans. Dwight Yorke netted a brace and David Beckham struck our fourth goal of the afternoon, but it was Paul Scholes who stole the headlines with the glorious third. Well known for his ability to score from distance, the midfielder produced one of the sweetest strikes of his career.

Premier League record
Games played: 4
United wins: 4
Draws: 0
Bradford wins: 0
United goals: 17
Bradford goal: 0
Top scorers: Dwight Yorke (3), Teddy Sheringham (3)

BRENTFORD 

When it comes to Brentford, our record against the Bees in the Premier League is limited, given the fact they were promoted to the top tier of English football for the first time ever in 2021. Since then, just four league clashes have occurred, with United winning three of them.

Classic match: United 3 Brentford 0 (2021/22)
With the 2021/22 season drawing to its natural conclusion, the Reds welcomed Brentford to Old Trafford at the start of May having lost three consecutive games. In front of our ever-present fans in M16, the tide soon changed as Bruno Fernandes fired us ahead inside the opening 10 minutes. A penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo on the hour mark set us on our way, before an unlikely goalscorer in Raphael Varane sealed a much-needed victory to end our winless run. 

Premier League record
Games played: 4
United wins: 3
Draws: 0
Brentford wins: 1
United goals: 7
Brentford goals: 5
Top scorer: Marcus Rashford (2)

BRIGHTON 

The Seagulls have been a mainstay in the top flight since gaining promotion in 2017 and have subsequently gone from strength to strength. The Reds have had many memorable encounters with Brighton over the years, with yet a single draw unfolding in the 12 Premier League fixtures we have contested.

Classic match: Brighton 2 United 3 (2020/21)
Arguably one of our most memorable games against the Seagulls was this 3-2 win towards the start of our 2020/21 campaign. In a back-and-forth encounter, the Reds were leaving with all three points thanks to Marcus Rashford putting us 2-1 up, but Solly March’s 95th-minute equaliser seemed to have condemned us to a costly draw. That was, of course, until Neal Maupay was deemed to have handled the ball inside the box and - even after the full-time whistle had been blown - VAR awarded a penalty to United. Bruno Fernandes subsequently stepped up to score with the last kick of the game.

Premier League record
Games played: 12
United wins: 7
Draws: 7
Brighton wins: 5
United goals: 16
Brighton goals: 15
Top scorers: Bruno Fernandes (4), Marcus Rashford (4)

BURNLEY 

With Burnley returning to the top flight next season, our record against them will undergo some fresh updates. In the past, the Reds have been dominant, with nine wins in our 16 Premier League encounters, five draws and only two defeats. 

Classic match: United 3 Burnley 1 (2021/22)
The Reds faced the Clarets at Old Trafford during Ralf Rangnick's tenure and comprehensively swept aside the Lancashire outfit, winning 3-1 with all the goals coming in a thrilling first half. Scott McTominay opened the scoring after only eight minutes before a Ben Mee own goal doubled our advantage inside the first half-hour. Cristiano Ronaldo added a stunning third before Aaron Lennon scored just before the interval to register a mere consolation for the visitors.

Premier League record
Games played: 16
United wins: 9
Draws: 4
Burnley wins: 2
United goals: 23
Burnley goals: 11
Top scorer: Paul Pogba (3)