Predicted Manchester United XI to play Burnley – Di Maria to start?

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Match to be played on Saturday 30th August 2014 at 12:45. Venue: Turf Moor, Burnley.

Manchester United are still hunting for their first win in competitive football under Louis van Gaal.

The Dutchman’s team were thumped 4-0 by the MK Dons in the League Cup earlier this week and are now under huge pressure to get three points on the board as they travel to Burnley.

Here’s the side LvG could select for the game.

GK – David De Gea

The Spaniard has been arguably the club’s most consistent player over the last two years. He keeps his place in the side.

CB – Phil Jones

Jones is arguably at his best playing in the centre of defence. He has experience of playing at right-back which means he can drift out wide.

CB – Jonny Evans

Evans featured against the MK Dons earlier this week and is likely to step in for Chris Smalling who has a groin problem.

CB – Tyler Blackett

Blackett has impressed van Gaal to the point where he’s becoming a key feature in this United defence, which is adapting to a new system.

RWB – Antonio Valencia

Valencia has experience of playing as a right-back and a right winger, which makes him useful to have on the right hand side.

LWB – Ashley Young

If Marcos Rojo still doesn’t have the correct paperwork in time for this game, Young will likely continue on the left hand side.

CM – Darren Fletcher

Fletcher should keep his place in the middle of the team to inject a bit of experience and calm into the side.

CM – Juan Mata

Mata is a good player for United to have controlling possession in the middle of the team if Ander Herrera isn’t fit to return.

CM – Angel Di Maria

LvG could make the gutsy decision to throw Di Maria straight into the side playing slightly towards the left. He did feature for Real Madrid last week so will be relatively match fit.

ST – Wayne Rooney

Rooney will most likely play off of Robin Van Persie and will be ready to drop into midfield positions when he needs to.

ST – Robin Van Persie

RVP needs to be all over the Burnley defence and make it difficult for them to step out and impose themselves against United’s attacking players.