Ole Gunnar Solskjaer points in training.

Ole reveals team news for Burnley encounter

Tuesday 21 January 2020 09:44

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has provided an update on his squad in advance of the Premier League clash with Burnley.

The Reds face the Clarets at 20:15 GMT on Wednesday, at Old Trafford, and will look to bounce back after the 2-0 defeat to leaders Liverpool on Sunday.

“I don’t think there were any other knocks in that game [last weekend] so we should have the same players to be available against Burnley, which is positive,” Ole told us.
Video
Watch what Ole said about Marcus Rashford in his press conference.

“Of course, we are stretched and some of the players have played a lot. And they're improving for it and will reap the benefit and get stronger physically and mentally more robust. Of course, it's great having Eric [Bailly], Diogo [Dalot] and Luke [Shaw] back in so we have got more choices. 

“It's a blow Marcus [Rashford] being out but that's football. It's part and parcel of it. He's been fantastic all season for us and now, unfortunately, we have to do without him.”

A FURTHER UPDATE

Shortly after the manager spoke to us on Tuesday morning, it was confirmed that Victor Lindelof had been sent home from training as a precaution due to illness. 

It remains to be seen if the Sweden international will be available for Wednesday night's match.

ELSEWHERE IN THE SQUAD

The Reds fielded five defenders at Anfield, with Luke Shaw drafted into the side, but it would appear likely a more familiar 4-3-2-1 formation will be deployed at home in midweek.

Bailly and Phil Jones were both on the bench, along with Dalot, and it could be the case that more attacking options are also considered to be among the substitutes, including youngsters Tahith Chong and Angel Gomes.

In addition to Rashford, Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay obviously remain on the sidelines, and Axel Tuanzebe has also been out.

Rashford's absence will lead to more opportunities for Mason Greenwood and Juan Mata, who hit the winner in the Emirates FA Cup replay win over Wolves.

“Of course, Mason is going to get more chances now,” added Ole in his pre-match press conference. “Juan will have to step up again, so there will be more chances for the ones we've got in the squad.”

WHAT ABOUT BURNLEY?

The visitors will be buoyed by their excellent 2-1 victory over high-flying Leicester City last time out, with Nick Pope's penalty save from Jamie Vardy proving a turning point and Ashley Westwood bagging the winner.

"That’s nine points out of seven games and that doesn’t sound like a king’s ransom," said Sean Dyche. "But, in the Premier League, that’s a pretty healthy return, especially against some of the teams we’ve faced."

Clarets striker Ashley Barnes misses out after a hernia operation while Johann Berg Gudmundsson is doubtful with a thigh injury.

Story updated 10:00 GMT.

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