Preview: Burnley v Manchester United

Eager: van Gaal is searching for his first competitive win since succeeding David Moyes as United manager (Picture from Flickr)

LOUIS van Gaal is still looking for his first victory in charge as Manchester United travel to newly-promoted Burnley on Saturday.

The Dutchman has endured a stuttering start to his managerial reign at Old Trafford, failing to win either of his first two Premier League games.

The defeat to Swansea and draw at Sunderland preceded a resounding 4-0 reverse at the hands of League One side MK Dons in the Capital One Cup in midweek.

The disastrous second-round exit sent shockwaves around the footballing world but United will be keen to repair the damage at Turf Moor in the lunchtime kick-off.

The arrival of Argentine superstar Angel di Maria from Real Madrid for a British club record fee has brought a glimmer of optimism - and the midfielder is expected to make his eagerly-awaited debut against the Clarets.

But in the aftermath of the heavy defeat at the Stadium MK, several players have been rumoured to be leaving the club with Wilfried Zaha already returning to former club Crystal Palace on a season-long loan.

Sean Dyche's side, meanwhile, are also in search of a win for the first time this season having lost their opening two league games on their return to the top-flight after a three-year absence.

Following the losses to Chelsea and Swansea, the east Lancashire side were also knocked out of the League Cup in midweek by Sheffield Wednesday on home soil.

But the Clarets will be inspired by memories of their first home game in the 2009-10 campaign when Robbie Blake's thumping volley earned a memorable 1-0 win over the then reigning champions United.

It remains to this day one of the greatest upsets in Premier League history - and the Red Devils can expect a similar carnival atmosphere on their return to Turf Moor, as van Gaal alluded to in his press briefing.

"It will be a fantastic atmosphere. They'll play with a lot of passion and long balls. We have to fight against that. It shall be a very difficult game but we have to show we can play football," the 62-year-old said.

When asked about his side's underwhelming start to the season, he added: "I am confident I will succeed here but I need time.

"We are building up a new team. It always takes three months. Players are used to other philosophies."

Meanwhile, opposite number Dyche is looking forward to facing United in front of a packed stadium but is aware of the tough challenge that awaits his players - as well as throughout the season in general.

"I don't think it could get much bigger than Manchester United coming to Turf Moor," he told the club's official website.

"Nobody is naïve to the challenge here and we know we're walking into almost every game as underdogs.

"But we all want it and we’re thirsty for it. We all wanted it last year and we all want it now, so the challenge is to learn quickly, adjust and go hard as we always do.

United's lavish purchase of di Maria is equivalent to the value of Burnley's entire squad, emphasising the extreme gulf that exists on a financial footing.

But a tight and tense encounter between two sides desperate for a maiden win of the campaign will be roundly expected.

TEAM NEWS:

Record signing Angel di Maria is set to make his Manchester United debut following his £59.7 million switch from the Champions League holders.

But fellow new recruit Marcos Rojo may have to wait until after the international break for his bow due to work permit issues.

Van Gaal has a number of injury concerns as Shinji Kagawa (concussion), Ander Herrera (ankle), Luke Shaw (hamstring), Marouane Fellaini (ankle), Jesse Lingard (knee) and Michael Carrick (ankle) all miss out.

Defender Chris Smalling is also a doubt after limping off at the Stadium of Light last weekend with a groin problem.

Welsh striker Sam Vokes will be the only Burnley absentee, with a long-term knee problem but was back on the grass at the training ground doing some running this week.

Several players are expected to be recalled who were rested for the League Cup loss to Sheffield Wednesday, including goalkeeper Tom Heaton, defender Michael Duff and striker Danny Ings.

Burnley (from): Heaton (GK), Cisak (GK), Gilks (GK); Duff, Lafferty, Long, Mee, Shackell, Trippier, Ward; Arfield, Howieson, Jones, Kightly, Marney, Reid, Taylor, Wallace; Barnes, Ings, Jutkiewicz, Sordell.

Manchester United (from): De Gea (GK), Amos (GK), Lindegaard (GK), Evans, Jones, M Keane, Rafael, Smalling, Vermijl, Anderson, Cleverley, di Maria, Fellaini, Fletcher, Herrera, Januzaj, Kagawa, Lawrence, Mata, Nani, Powell, Valencia, Young, Hernandez, W Keane, Lingard, Rooney, Van Persie, Welbeck, Wilson.

MATCH FACTS:

Manchester United have kept only two clean sheets in their last 10 Premier League games and have now failed to keep a clean sheet for five consecutive league matches away from home.

One point from two games is Manchester United's worst start to a league campaign since the inaugural Premier League season of 1992-93, when they lost both of their opening matches but still won the title.

United's last top-flight away win at Burnley came in April 1976.

Burnley are one of two teams [along with Barnsley] never to have been involved in a goalless draw in the Premier League.

The Clarets have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 29 Premier League games - since a 2-0 home win over Hull in October 2009 - and have won just three of those matches.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

Assistant referees: Mike Mullarkey (Devon) and Mick McDonough (Tyne & Wear)

Fourth Official: Mark Clattenburg (County Durham)

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Last updated: 29 August 2014 15:47pm

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