^ ^ Is Man Utd vs Burnley on TV? Predicted lineup today and confirmed team news

Fernandes expected to return to the starting XI today (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United welcome Burnley to Old Trafford this afternoon in desperate need of a victory.

After showing promise in their opening day defeat to Arsenal, United reverted back to type in their tame draw with Fulham last weekend.

A dreadful defeat to fourth tie Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup midweek deepened the malaise at Old Trafford with Ruben Amorim already looking like a man under immense pressure.

His side have the chance to lift some of that gloom at home to newly-promoted Burnley on Saturday – but anything other than a comprehensive win will prompt more questions over Amorim’s future.

The manager’s refusal to deviate from his three at the back system has been a growing concern with that stance unlikely to change this weekend.

Your ultimate guide to the football season

Metro's football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal.

In goal, Andre Onana’s chances of keeping his place in the side after Thursday’s disaster against Grimsby seem remote. Altay Bayındır has also failed to convince but appears to be the manager’s preferred choice.

Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro were among those rested on Wednesday night with the pair expected to return to the starting XI on Saturday.

Amorim already under major pressure (Picture: Getty Images)

Amorim has made it clear Kobbie Mainoo is directly competing for Bruno Fernandes’ role in the team.

Given Fernandes wears the captain’s armband, he is unlikely to force his way in ahead of the skipper, something that will continue to fuel the possibility of a move away from United before transfer deadline day on Sunday.

Casemiro, Amorim’s preferred partner for Fernandes in the middle of the park, was also rested against Grimsby.  

Mainoo played 90 minutes against Grimsby (Picture: Getty)

Benjamin Sesko was handed his first start that night, getting a competitive 90 minutes under his belt for the first time since April.

While it was not the most convincing debut, Amorim surely cannot leave his sole striker among the subs again against newly-promoted opposition.

Man Utd XI to face Burnley – Metro prediction

With Amad Diallo doing little to convince Amorim he is deserving of a starting role this weekend, we expect Diogo Dalot to return to right wing-back with new signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha to resume their partnership in attack.

Man Utd vs Burnley TV channel and kick-off time

Man Utd vs Burnley takes place on Saturday 30 August with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.

Given that kick-off time, the match is not being broadcast live in the UK.

Luckily, you can follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE blog.

Comments

^ ^ Enzo Maresca admits Alejandro Garnacho is ‘very similar’ to player Chelsea just signed

Garnacho will join Chelsea in a £40m deal (Picture: Getty)

Enzo Maresca has admitted Alejandro Garnacho is ‘quite similar’ to a player Chelsea have already signed this summer in Jamie Gittens.

The Blues finally struck an agreement with Manchester United for the Argentina international this week, agreeing a deal worth £40million.

Garnacho was at Cobham on Friday to finalise his switch to London which will see him become Chelsea’s seventh signing of the summer.

While Chelsea have moved on a number of notable players, namely Christopher Nkunku who is poised to join AC Milan with Nicolas Jackson close to a loan switch to Bayern Munich, the club are still blessed with huge depth in attack.

With Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto already key players under Maresca, Brazilian sensation Estevao Willian joined the Blues this summer along with Joao Pedro, capable of playing across the front line.

Your ultimate guide to the football season

Metro's football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal.

Chelsea also wrapped up a deal to sign English winger Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund in June, parting with £52million to bring the 21-year-old to west London.

Gittens started Chelsea’s opening game of the season against Crystal Palace on the left, Garnacho’s favoured role and were he was at his most dangerous for United after emerging from the youth team in 2022.

Gittens plays the same role as Garnacho (Picture: Getty Images)

Ahead of official confirmation of the Argentine’s arrival, Maresca compared the two wingers, insisting they have very similar traits.

‘They are quite similar,’ Maresca said on Garnacho and Gittens.

‘In terms of, when we are looking for a winger, we like wingers who are good in one-v-ones, they are quite vertical, aggressive, they can attack, they can create something. Jamie is that profile. If Garnacho arrives, we will see.’

Chelsea’s summer business appears to be drawing to a close with the club agreeing a deal to sign another young Argentine talent in Facundo Buonanotte.

The 20-year-old, who spent last season with Leicester City, is set to join the Blues on a season-long loan.

The club have missed out on the signing of Xavi Simons, who completed his £51m switch to Tottenham on Friday.

Comments

^ ^ Kobbie Mainoo sends message to Ruben Amorim after Man Utd block loan move

Mainoo desperate for regular first-team football (Picture: Getty Images)

Kobbie Mainoo will tell Manchester United he is still desperate to leave the club before the summer transfer window closes despite being told he must stay and fight for his place.

The England international played the full 90 minutes in Wednesday’s harrowing Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town but has been an unused substitute in United’s opening two matches of the new Premier League season against Arsenal and Fulham.

Amorim revealed last week Mainoo is now in direct competition with Bruno Fernandes for one midfield role.

Given Fernandes wears the captain’s armband and has been virtually undroppable since arriving in Manchester, it suggests Mainoo’s chances will likely come off the bench.

Mainoo is desperate to be part of the England squad for next summer’s World Cup with his situation at United posing a threat to that – left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest squad on Friday for upcoming qualifiers.

Your ultimate guide to the football season

Metro's football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal.

Mainoo has spoken to United and asked to leave the club on loan to secure regular first-team football this season.

The club have rejected his pleas, urging him to stay and fight for his place as they would need to sign a replacement were he to move on.

Mainoo could follow Garnacho out the door (Picture: Getty)

Mainoo’s future is one of a number of issues United are trying to address this week with Amorim telling reporters on Friday: ‘I want Kobbie to stay. He needs to fight for his place, and we need Kobbie. So that is not going to change.

‘The rest I don’t know how it’s going to finish.

‘I understand that the players that are not playing in this moment are disappointed, but everyone has the same opportunity to play. You have to fight during the week.’

Amorim has told Mainoo he must stay (Picture: Getty Images)

But despite his manager’s comments, Mainoo is still trying to force through a loan move in the final days of the transfer window, the Daily Mail report.

Despite reports claiming there is interest in a permanent switch to Napoli, it is suggested Mainoo is not prepared to cut ties with his boyhood club permanently.

With just three days of the summer transfer window remaining, United are still trying to offload Antony and Jadon Sancho with Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund poised to leave the club for Chelsea and Napoli.

Comments

^ ^ Chelsea vs Fulham: Predicted lineup today and confirmed team news

Pedro expected to start again this afternoon (Picture: Getty Images)

Chelsea will be without Cole Palmer for their west London derby with Fulham this afternoon.

Palmer pulled out of the Blues starting XI shortly before kick-off last Friday against West Ham United with a groin problem. It didn’t distract the Blues too much, after falling behind to Lucas Pacqueta’s early strike, they put five past the Hammers to pick up their first win of the season.  

Palmer did not train with the rest of the Chelsea squad this wee and was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Enzo Maresca confirmed on Friday his star man is not available as he continues his recovery from a groin problem.

Estevao Willian stepped into the starting XI in Palmer’s absence and sparkled in east London, providing an assist in the 5-1 victory with his countryman Joao Pedro on the score sheet again.

Your ultimate guide to the football season

Metro's football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal.

His tally now stands at four goals and two assists in five competitive matches since his arriving from Brighton.

Palmer’s absence prompted a reshuffle with Joao Pedro starting deeper with Liam Delap leading the line before he was replaced on the hour.

Pedro and Estevao were on fire against West Ham (Picture: Getty_

Maresca will be tempted to stick with the same side that trampled all over West Ham.

Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia remain out injured along with Levi Colwill who is expected to miss the majority of the season after his anterior cruciate ligament injury.  

They have an otherwise clean bill of health ahead of the weekend.

Palmer picked up a knock shortly before kick-off (Picture: Getty Images)

Chelsea XI to face Fulham – Metro prediction

With no Palmer, we could be looking at the same team that eased past West Ham.

Estevao Willian has surely done enough to keep his place in the side ahead of Jamie Gittens but there could be a dilemma at centre-half with Wesley Fofana available having come off the bench in east London.

Chelsea vs Fulham TV channel and kick-off time

Chelsea vs Fulham takes place on Saturday 30 August with kick-off scheduled for 12:30pm.

You can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1 with streaming also available through the Discovery+ app

Comments

^ ^ Chelsea miss out as £51m star completes Tottenham medical after transfer hijack

Spurs will have another star at their disposal (Picture: Getty Images)

Tottenham are on the brink of signing Chelsea target Xavi Simons with the Netherlands international competing his medical ahead of a move to north London.

Chelsea have chased a deal for the RB Leipzig star throughout the summer but with no deal agreed, it left the door open for their London rivals to swoop.

Spurs have already been stung in the transfer market this summer, missing out on long-term target Eberechi Eze after Arsenal launched a late swoop for the Crystal Palace star.

But it is now Tottenham’s turn to celebrate beating their rivals to the punch with Simons’ arrival imminent.

The Athletic report personal terms are in place with the attacking midfielder completing his medical on Thursday.

Your ultimate guide to the football season

Metro's football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal.

Spurs launched their opening offer yesterday with RB Leipzig granting him permission to travel to London.

Chelsea were believed to be weighing up a late offer but their focus on other business allowed Spurs to get in and get the deal done.

Simons will become Tottenham’s fourth signing (Picture: Shutterstock)

Chelsea had been hoping to sign both Simons and Alejandro Garnacho before the transfer window closes on Monday.

A £40million deal to sign the Manchester United winger is in place with the Blues raising additional funds through the sale of Christopher Nkunku who is set to join AC Milan.

Tottenham meanwhile have been eager to bring in another attacking option with James Maddison sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Dejan Kulusevski also remains sidelined.

In addition to Eze, Spurs also missed out on Morgan Gibbs-White who instead signed a new contract with Nottingham Forest.

Simons will become Tottenham’s fourth signing of the summer with Mohammad Kudus also strengthening their attacking options after arriving from West Ham United.

Simons completed his medical on Thursday (Picture: Getty Images)

Mathys Tel’s loan move from Bayern Munich was made permanent while Joao Palhinha has joined on loan from the German giants.

Tottenham have until 12pm today to register Simons in time for him to make his debut on Saturday against Bournemouth.

But a more likely date for his first appearance could be away to West Ham United on 13 September following the international break.

Comments

^ ^ Arsenal make key decision on Kai Havertz knee injury

Kai Havertz suffered an injury setback during Arsenal’s win over Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

Kai Havertz has undergone surgery on the knee injury that kept him out of Arsenal’s win over Leeds United last weekend.

The Germany international suffered a serious hamstring injury last season but recovered in time to feature in the final two games of the campaign.

Havertz faces increased competition for his place this term following the signing of Viktor Gyokeres and started on the bench in a 1-0 victory against Manchester United on the opening weekend.

The former Chelsea star suffered a setback during that game after replacing his new teammate on the hour mark.

Arsenal were hoping Havertz would avoid having to go under the knife but having decided on a course of action they remain hopeful his absence will be a short term one.

Your ultimate guide to the football season

Metro's football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal.

Speaking about Havertz’s injury last week, Mikel Arteta said: ‘He’s got an injury, we don’t really know the extent of it. I think we need a bit more time and more tests. I think after that we’ll have more clarity about next steps.

‘I don’t want to speak about the specifics. He’s not fit, we need to explore that issue a bit further and then decide what we’re going to do.

Kai Havertz appeared as a substitute in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

‘He cannot play tomorrow. I would love to have him fresh and available and bringing what he brings to the team. Unfortunately that’s not going to be possible.

‘Mentally he’s in a good place because he’s a strong boy, very committed. He had an incredible recovery from the hamstring surgery, he never had an injury before so it was the first experience.

‘Now he has a setback, we’ll see how bad it is but he will deal with it in the best possible way. Hopefully we’re going to have him soon.’

Viktor Gyokeres will lead the line against Liverpool in the absence of Kai Havertz (Picture: Getty)

Arteta, meanwhile, will be without Bukayo Saka for Sunday’s trip to Liverpool while captain Martain Odegaard is a doubt with the shoulder injury he picked up against Leeds.

New signing Eberechi Eze is in line to make his debut, however, while Gyokeres, fresh from his two goals last weekend, will lead the line with renewed confidence.

‘It felt good,’ said Gyokeres after breaking his duck. ‘It was nice to get 90 minutes, of course, to get the rhythm going and play with the guys even more. I think it was a good game overall.?

‘I felt good today, of course, scoring two and the team scoring five. I think that showed that we can be a massive threat going forward because we have a lot of great players attacking but also, of course, it’s very important with the defending as well.

‘I think we pressed very good today and didn’t give them much time on the ball. I think we deserved this win today.’

Comments

^ ^ Paul Parker gives verdict on Benjamin Sesko after ‘red flag’ penalty incident

Sesko made his full debut for United on Wednesday night (Picture: Getty Images)

Former Manchester United star Paul Parker has defended Benjamin Sesko after his reluctance to take a penalty against Grimsby Town.

United’s woes plummeted to new depths on Wednesday night after crashing out of the Carabao Cup in the second round against a side sat in the fourth tier of English football.

Ruben Amorim’s side were two goals down after half an hour at Blundell Park and while goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire gave them the chance to salvage a result, a 12-11 defeat on penalties sent them crashing out at the first hurdle.

A tense shoot-out in sudden death saw every member of both teams step up to take a penalty, including goalkeepers Christy Pym and Andre Onana.

Sesko was the last outfield player to take a spot kick for United just before the goalkeepers stepped up. While he hit the back of the net, his decision not to take one earlier in the shoot-out was described as a ‘major red flag’ by fans on social media.

Your ultimate guide to the football season

Metro's football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal.

Defenders Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt all stepped up before the £74million signing who has a very healthy record from 12 yards, scoring 11 penalties in his professional career and missing none.

The former RB Leipzig star was starting his first game for United after coming off the bench against Arsenal and Fulham but did little to ease concerns over how the club’s goal-shy attack will improve this season.

Sesko drew a blank against the fourth tier side (Picture: Getty Images)

Former England full-back Parker believes Sesko would have had no issue stepping up straight away to take a penalty had he still been playing in Germany – but stopped short of questioning the striker.

‘He hasn’t had any football really since joining this club,’ Parker told Metro via 32Red. ‘Suddenly, he knows what’s going on here, he is seeing the pressure and feeling it too against a fourth-tier team.

‘I just think he’s been too honest, he just didn’t fancy it at that moment in time. I understand it. I am sure there is a lot of people ready to berate him and I’m sure his credentials will be questioned.

Sesko struggled against the fourth tier side (Picture: Getty Images)

‘Would he have stepped up for Leipzig if he was still there? I think the answer would have been yes.

‘He’s a big signing thrown into the mire in a game like that with a team that hasn’t really got going. It is very difficult to do. I don’t want to be too critical.

‘It didn’t make any sense to not give him a chance at the weekend. He should have been given the opportunity in the Premier League first rather than that environment last night.’

United’s season is already under scrutiny just three games in after a dismal 15^th place finish last season.

They return to action at home to newly-promoted Burnley on Saturday before the first international break of the campaign

Comments