Burnley would feel a little unfortunate after dropping two points from a winning position against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Monday.

The Clarets got a rare lead late in the first half after some brilliant work on the left by Luca Koleosho, culminating in a neat finish from Zeki Amdouni but debutant Callum Hudson Odoi after he received from Taiwo Awoniyi levelled for the hosts.

It’s a crazy time to be a fan of Manchester United, and you can’t question anyone for doubting the team after losing three times in five games this season. You can also make that four losses in six games if you factor in the loss away at Bayern in midweek.

The Red Devils lost meekly at home last weekend to Brighton and were second-best all game long. There was no point in the game; you’d think Manchester United had a foothold on the game, and the 3-1 scoreline flattered them.

You look at the quality in the United squad and wonder why they’re thirteenth on the Premier League log, but hopeful fans would remind you that they had a difficult start last season and still finished third at the end of the season. But is United fighting for the top four spot or for the title?

Burnley has a game in hand against Luton but won’t give up on the fight for survival. It’s been a tough start for Vincent Kompany’s side with just one point on the board in four games, but they play beautiful football that warms the hearts of fans.

The Clarets have just one desire: to stay up this season, and it’s looking like a difficult job at the moment. The new boys are struggling with the Premier League bottom four, filled with three of the newly promoted sides. Burnley needs a result here to change the brewing narratives.

How will they line up? Manchester United is currently ravaged with injuries, and you wonder if that would be a tenable excuse on Saturday. Rasmus Hojlund looks like the real deal, but will he have some joy against the Clarets?

Aaron Wan Bissaka joins the long injury list at Old Trafford, but Rafael Varane and Mason Mount could return. Koleosho would need some attention on the left, which leaves Diogo Dalot with lots of work to do with the Burnley winger, showing how troublesome he can be against Forest.

Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford have not yet picked up quality form this season. This is a game to start the fire from, with United slipping completely out of the reckoning with respect to the title race, and for Burnley, they need a result to steer clear of the relegation zone. It will be a great game to watch.

Verdict: United to win at Burnley