Sean Dyche not getting distracted by Manchester United noise

United go into the game buoyed by victory over neighbours Manchester City in the EFL Cup but still looking to put right last week's 4-0 thrashing by Chelsea in the Premier League.

The Red Devils have won just four of their nine league games under Jose Mourinho, and head into the weekend in a disappointing seventh place, but Dyche does not buy into suggestions that there are serious structural issues.

"For all the noise that's been made about the ups and downs of Manchester United over the past couple of weeks they're still a fine side," he said.

"I look at the manager, the club, the players they've got and they're still a super strong group of people operating at the highest level.

"I'd be very surprised if this group of players is not still a very, very strong group and a group to be reckoned with over the course of the season."

Dyche brings up his fourth anniversary as Clarets boss this weekend, enough to place him eighth in the Football League's longevity table and third in the top flight.

And he puts some of the recent inconsistency at United down to changes in the dugout, rather than any flaws in Mourinho's methods.

"No matter who you are it's still a challenge to get a new group and get it to operate how you want it to operate," he said.

"I think he'll still be piecing together what his top team is and how he wants them to operate

I don't know him but I can imagine he's doing that.

"The players likewise, getting used to different ways of playing and training, different things he wants from them.

"Sometimes it's hand in glove and it happens very, very quickly, sometimes it doesn't.

"Look at (Jurgen) Klopp going into Liverpool, I don't think that was instant there

(Chelsea manager Antonio) Conte three weeks ago was getting questioned, wins two big games - a big one against Manchester United - and the questions disappear.

"Pep (Guardiola) is being spoken about as being on his worst run in, probably, ever

He's still finding out how it works.

"These are top, top people with top players but I just think it takes time."

Burnley have striker Andre Gray available again following a four-game ban for offensive social media posts and Dyche must consider whether he reverts to 4-4-2 or continues with a five-man midfield.

Source : PA

Source: PA