Top flight football returns to Turf Moor

Last updated : 19 August 2009 By Tony Scholes

Back in May my match report following our Wembley win over Sheffield United was entitled 'The 33 year wait is over'. I claimed it might take some time to sink in but when I saw such as Manchester United v Burnley on the fixtures then it would well and truly sink in.

That fixture, the home fixture, is with us. We've played one Premier League game at Stoke but tonight's game is a real 'Welcome to the Premier League' fixture and I just can't wait.

Wembley was unbelievably emotional for me, and tonight will be no different. This will be a very special night for our football club. Enjoy it, savour it, and don't ever forget it. Turf Moor has always been a special place but when the teams come out tonight it will feel extra special.

If you are lucky enough to be there get behind our team from first minute until last, not just tonight but in every game this season as we do our utmost to defy the odds.

Our Opponents


I'm not sure I need to write to much about our opponents tonight. Manchester United are THE biggest club we'll face all season. They are league champions again for a third season in succession.

They've lost such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez during the summer but they still have the strongest of squads no matter which eleven they turn out.

During the summer they've replaced the two departed players with Antonio Valencia from Wigan and former Liverpool forward Michael Owen who didn't fancy Championship football with Newcastle.

They've already missed out on one trophy though this season. Having drawn in the Community Shield against Chelsea they were beaten 4-1 on penalties. They have however got their league season off to the perfect start with a 1-0 win over Birmingham on Sunday with Wayne Rooney scoring the goal.

Team News


Manchester United will be under strength because their first choice central defenders, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are both ruled out whilst Jonny Evans is a doubt with Wes Brown set to play alongside John O'Shea in the centre of defence.

Sir Alex Ferguson uses his squad to the maximum so it isn't really an option to second guess his plans although it would be no surprise to see Michael Owen get a start after coming off the bench on Sunday.

Click HERE to see the full Manchester United squad


Owen Coyle is still without defenders Michael Duff and Steven Caldwell through injury but he does have more options defensively than he did at Stoke. David Edgar has served his one match ban for his sending off at the end of last season and is available.

New signing Andre Bikey is also available after completing his suspension via the Harry Redknapp loophole and he's also in the squad.

I'd expect Bikey to come in and there could be a change on the right hand side of the midfield with Chris Eagles potentially being preferred to Martin Paterson.

We could line up: Brian Jensen, Tyrone Mears, Clarke Carlisle, Andre Bikey, Stephen Jordan, Graham Alexander, Chris Eagles, Wade Elliott, Chris McCann, Robbie Blake, Steven Fletcher. Subs from: Diego Penny, Richard Eckersley, Christian Kalvenes, David Edgar, Brian Easton, Joey Gudjonsson, Kevin McDonald, Fernando Guerrero, Martin Paterson, Steven Thompson, Jay Rodriguez.

Last Time


Our last home league game against Manchester United came in the penultimate game of the 1975/76 season when a 1-0 win for United condemned us to relegation and that 33 year exile from the top flight.

Even a win that day wouldn't have saved us but a Lou Macari goal was enough to confirm the relegation.

The Burnley team that day was: Gerry Peyton, Derek Scott, Keith Newton, Peter Noble, Jim Thomson, Billy Rodaway, Colin Morris, Brian Flynn, Ray Hankin (Billy Ingham), Paul Fletcher, Mike Summerbee.

Previous games against Manchester United


Previous 20 Seasons

Season

Div

Ven

Result

Att

Scorers

2002/03

LC

h

0-2

22,034

.



Click HERE to see all our results against Manchester United