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4-2-3-1: Man Utd predicted XI to face Burnley

Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from our last minute disappointment at Leicester City last time out.

Today’s visitors are superseding everyone’s expectations by starting Boxing Day in seventh and only three points off the top four.

Nick Pope in goal has a save percentage as high as David de Gea so far this season and the Englishman can expect a busy game later today.

Here is the team I expect Jose Mourinho to name today:

Goalkeeper: David de Gea

The Spaniard will be disappointed at both goals he conceded at Leicester over the weekend but can expect a quieter game in goal this afternoon.

Defence: Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw

We’re expected to be without Chris Smalling after the centre-back appeared to pick up a groin injury in the closing minutes on Saturday.  Therefore either Marcos Rojo or Victor Lindelof should partner Phil Jones in central defence.  Antonio Valencia has a hamstring injury so I think we’ll see Ashley Young switched to right-back and Luke Shaw come back in on the opposite flank.

Midfield: Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic; Marcus Rashford, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Anthony Martial

Paul Pogba has played twice in a week but should be good to make it three in a row given his fitness levels.  The French star will partner Nemanja Matic in front of the back four.  I expect to see rotations in midfield which could see Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard given a rest.  Marcus Rashford only came on for the final 20 minutes on Saturday so will be recalled to the starting lineup today.  Jose Mourinho has said Zlatan Ibrahimovic can play in the number 10 role so it’s either the Swede or Henrikh Mkhitaryan who starts this one.  Anthony Martial starts on the left.

Striker: Romelu Lukaku

The Belgian striker created a number of chances versus Leicester City but didn’t get in any goalscoring positions himself.  However, I expect Romelu Lukaku to continue to start with Zlatan only among the substitutes.  Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan created a number of chances in the opening weeks of the season so let’s see if those two can rekindle their form against the Clarets.

Here is how I think we’ll line up: