Life in the Premier League does not get any easier for Burnley as they prepare to host Manchester United.

The Clarets were given a rude awakening by Stoke on Saturday as they suffered a harsh lesson in how taxing life in the top flight can be.

A 2-0 reversal at the Britannia Stadium was not the start Owen Coyle was hoping for and he could do without a visit from the reigning champions on Wednesday.

Burnley did lose just four times at Turf Moor throughout the whole of last season, winning their last five, but the Red Devils will provide a substantially tougher test than those sides the Clarets came up against in the second tier.

Coyle's men also enjoyed considerable success in front of goal on home soil last term, scoring 42 goals, and they will need that fine form to continue if they are to take anything from an unenviable midweek encounter.

United make the short trip to Burnley unbeaten in their last 17 games against the Clarets, with clean sheets kept in the last four meetings between the two sides.

They have also won nine of their last 10 games on the road, with that record helping to carry Sir Alex Ferguson's men to the Premier League crown in 2008/09.

The Red Devils have also gone almost three years since they last failed to beat a newly-promoted side, drawing 0-0 with Reading in September 2006, winning their last 16.

Skipper missing

Burnley will be without their captain Steven Caldwell after he failed to recover from a groin injury.

Having already sat out the club's Premier League debut at Stoke, the Clarets defender will also miss the first top flight game to be played at Turf Moor for 33 years.

Caldwell suffered the problem on international duty with Scotland last week.

Defender Michael Duff will also miss the match, but Burnley are boosted by the return of summer signing David Edgar, who could make his debut after sitting out Saturday's game through a suspension he picked up while still at Newcastle.

Andre Bikey could also be in line to make his debut after the Cameroon international completed his move from Reading.

Brown ready

Wes Brown is standing by to replace Jonny Evans as United head to Burnley for their first league meeting since 1976.

With Nemanja Vidic (calf) and Rio Ferdinand (thigh) already ruled out and Evans a major doubt, Brown is set to partner John O'Shea in central defence.

Michael Carrick and Anderson are set to make their first appearances of the season, while Michael Owen could be included after being introduced as a substitute in Sunday's 1-0 win over Birmingham.

Possible starting XIs

Burnley: Jensen, Eckersley, Bikey, Carlisle, Alexander, Mears, Blake, Elliott, McCann, Fletcher, Paterson.

Man Utd: Foster, Fabio, O'Shea, Brown, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Anderson, Nani, Rooney, Owen.

PREDICTIONS:

One to Watch: Michael Owen

Whoa Burnley got Edgar David! cant wait to see his cyclop spec!

I think Carrick and Ando will start in the middle tonight..

why on earth la carrick the one who take the penalty.. haihz

i would like rooney to take it.. yes.. he strike good but not enough good.. his shot not deep to side..

hahahaha

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Burnley's home stadium is small and is much more easier to defend, we used to play wide game but the pitch is too small, is better Nani start on the left

aku x percaya man united kalah dgn burnley...
abislah member2 aku kutuk aku dlm claz nanti..zzzzz
dengan burnley wei kite kalah...ayaiiiii

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Added on August 20, 2009, 4:59 amaku x percaya man united kalah dgn burnley...
abislah member2 aku kutuk aku dlm claz nanti..zzzzz
dengan burnley wei kite kalah...ayaiiiii

Owen still need some time to gel with the team

Sir Alex Ferguson found fault with his players’ decision making on Wednesday night after a bad day at the office allowed Burnley to inflict a shock defeat on the champions.

The Reds were at times too rash, at other times too hesitant, when opportunities to cancel out Robbie Blake’s stunning goal for Burnley presented themselves.

“We were too frivolous with the chances we had,” Sir Alex told MUTV.

“Sometimes we were taking touches on the ball instead of shooting quickly. And in the last twenty minutes, we rushed and made one or two bad decisions.”

The boss believes the night might have been different had Michael Carrick converted his penalty on the brink of half-time - “I think we’d have won the game. I think we’d have composed ourselves and taken our time in the second half."

Sir Alex denied United's return of one goal from two games is a concern, taking heart from the number of chances created - "Hopefully we get as many on Saturday. Michael Carrick had what I thought was the best chance when the ball was squared to him in the box but he decided to take a touch on the ball and lost the opportunity. Michael Owen missed a great chance in the first half, Ryan Giggs had one in  the second half and Wayne Rooney had a couple of chances."

While lamenting a “bad performance” by his own team, Sir Alex praised Burnley and their supporters.

“You can’t deny them their victory. Every member of their team worked their socks off and the fans were fantastic, they got behind them all night, cheering every kick of the ball. To play Manchester United on their return to the top division after a long time, it was a great occasion for them.

“Burnley had a good ten-minute spell which won it for them. They caused us a lot of problems with their balls in behind our back four, turning us towards our own goal.

“(The goal) was a very good strike, a marvellous hit, but we didn’t defend it well. The player should have been covered but one or two of our midfield players were running out when the ball was played across.

“Our players are all disappointed, it was a bad result for us. But I’m sure we’ll get a response (on Saturday, at Wigan).”

then like tat i think we shud sell rooney as well..since he cant do anything in that match

That was a frustrating game to watch. Stupid loss really.. should at least got a draw.. but guess it just wasn't our night. We never really click. What SAF said is true. Sometimes we were too eager, other times hesitant.. both Roon and Berba went for the same ball etc. We need wingers.. lots of them, and effective ones on the pitch at all times. Left side was non existant apart from Evra bombing down there but not effective when he doesn't have someone else to play with in front of him and on the other side got Park who lost every ball that was given to him almost. Really really frustrating. Unleash Fletcher! And Nani get back soon.. you are our best bet on the wings.

The next game, which is against Wigan is 22 August right, but why the thread description says September?

alien must have mistakenly typed it

now watching rooney play. thats amazing.
150% pure passion and drive.
you tackle him, he will get up immediately and tackle u even harder!
then he will get the damn ball and score.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is set to be sidelined for up to four weeks with a thigh injury.

Ferdinand played in the Community Shield earlier this month and also completed 90 minutes for England in their friendly against Holland.

He then suffered a slight tear in his thigh during training last week ahead of the Premier League opener against Birmingham.

Sir Alex Ferguson initially thought that he would only be without Ferdinand for a couple of weeks but that estimate has now been revised.

"Rio is going to be out for three to four weeks," said the United boss.