Under pressure Almorim Faces Must-Win Test Against Burnley

Gameweek 3 sees Ruben Amorim’s under-pressure Manchester United side host newly promoted Burnley at Old Trafford in what already feels like a must-win encounter for the home side.

It has been a week to forget for United supporters. In midweek, the Red Devils suffered a humiliating exit from the Carabao Cup, losing on penalties to League Two side Grimsby Town in one of the competition’s most dramatic upsets in recent memory.

A sluggish first-half display saw United fall 2-0 behind at Blundell Park. More concerning than the scoreline was the apparent absence of a game plan, identity, or cohesion. Though United fought back to 2-2, taking the tie to penalties, they ultimately lost 12-11 in the shootout. New signing Bryan Mbeumo had the chance to keep United in the contest, but his effort crashed against the crossbar mirroring the turbulent conditions on the night and sending Grimsby through to the third round.

Speaking after the match, manager Ruben Amorim admitted that the result may prompt a tactical rethink. “I think the players spoke really loudly about what they want today,” he told reporters hinting at the possibility of a formation change, after previously standing firm on his preferred style of play last season.

United are still searching for their first Premier League win of the campaign. A narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on the opening day was followed by a frustrating 1-1 draw away at Fulham. With no wins in their opening three competitive matches, the pressure on Amorim is already mounting. The atmosphere at Old Trafford this weekend is expected to be tense, with increasing expectation on both players and staff to halt the early-season slide.

Adding to the growing tension is the situation surrounding Kobbie Mainoo.

The talented midfielder, who has struggled for minutes so far this season, is understood to have requested a loan move away from Old Trafford. However, that request has reportedly been denied, with the club reiterating that he is part of their long-term plans and must compete for his place in the squad.

In contrast, Burnley have made a steady, if unspectacular, return to life in the top flight under new manager Scott Parker. An opening 3-1 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur could have dented confidence, but the Clarets responded well with a convincing 2-0 home victory over fellow promoted side Sunderland.

They arrive at Old Trafford with far less pressure and the freedom to play without the weight of expectation. For Parker’s side, every point away from home is a bonus though they will no doubt sense an opportunity to exploit United’s current fragility.

Burnley’s record at Old Trafford does not make for encouraging reading. The Clarets have only won twice away to Manchester United in the Premier League era. The most recent came on 22 January 2020 a 2-0 victory featuring now Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood. Prior to that, Burnley had not won at Old Trafford since September 1962, a run stretching back 21 visits.

For newly promoted clubs, the target is simple survival. Many pundits have spoken about the increasing difficulty for Championship sides to make the jump to the Premier League, due to the financial disparity and established infrastructure of top-flight teams. Last season, all three promoted clubs were relegated at the first attempt, a stark reminder of how unforgiving the Premier League can be. Burnley, like others before them, will be hoping to buck that trend but points in games like this one will be hard-earned.

Manchester United will be desperate to avoid falling further behind in the early standings, especially at home. Burnley, meanwhile, will see this as a chance to make a statement against a side lacking confidence and cohesion. With both teams carrying pressure for different reasons, Saturday’s fixture at Old Trafford could be far more competitive and potentially dramatic than league positions might suggest.