Manchester United face Burnley in the Premier League at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

United returned from their forced break – due to the Covid-19 outbreak at the club – against Newcastle earlier in the week, but the display was not worth the wait as Ralf Rangnick’s side stumbled in a 1-1 draw against one of the relegation candidate leagues.

Newcastle have only won one game all season and yet they created enough chances against United to win the game. David de Gea made a heroic save in the last stages of the match to deny the effort of Miguel Almiron and who ensured the points split.

Although United have two games in hand against Arsenal in fourth place, they are seven points away from Champions League places which means there may be little room for error in the weeks to come and that starts against Burnley on Thursday.

Which players should Rangnick select for the game? Here’s how the writers at MEN think United should line up …

Samuel luckhurst

Eric Bailly would be a worthy inclusion if he wasn’t set to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations. The four full-backs weren’t convincing at Newcastle, but United need proactive full-backs.

It’s not a night for Scott McTominay and Fred. Donny van de Beek and Nemanja Matic could break the lines by passing against what is bound to be a compact Burnley side.

Bruno Fernandes is suspended and Marcus Rashford is expected to be dropped. Replacing Mason Greenwood at Newcastle has been tough and he deserves another start. Jadon Sancho is expected to enter and Edinson Cavani’s partner Cristiano Ronaldo, as long as he does not declare himself unavailable.

Tyrone marshall

Changes are expected to come after the performance at St James’ Park and in defense, the most obvious is a return to the starting lineup for Shaw. With Lindelof absent with Covid and Bailly set to go to the Africa Cup of Nations, there isn’t much room for maneuver in the center of the back.

The midfielder was disastrous at Newcastle and to persist with Fred and McTominay against Burnley would be extremely overwhelming. Van de Beek can team up with the Scotsman in the deeper roles. With Fernandes suspended, it is time for Sancho – hard-abandoned at St James’ Park – to come back alongside Greenwood, who was hung hard at halftime on Monday.

Ronaldo was also disappointing on Monday but remains a certainty to start and Cavani has to come alongside him. He was impressive on the bench against Newcastle and can add bite to the front line.

Which players would you name in the starting XI? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Steven railston

Nothing but three points will be acceptable on Thursday after United’s draw against Newcastle earlier this week.

Such was troubled by Ryan Fraser in this game at St. James’ Park and Shaw is expected to return to the starting lineup, however, Wan-Bissaka can stay on the bench as Dalot’s proactivity will be needed against a Burnley side deeply. buried. .

Rashford has been anonymous for the past few weeks and doesn’t deserve to start here. Van de Beek must impress in Fernandes’ absence and Sancho should play on the right. Greenwood was unlucky to be knocked out at half-time at Newcastle – Rashford was the obvious candidate again – and it’s likely a draw between him and Cavani to start alongside Ronaldo.