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4-2-3-1: Is this how Man Utd will line up at Burnley with possible debutant?

Manchester United travel to Turf Moor to take on Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.

Before the game, if reports are accurate, we could well have landed Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal in a deal that sees Henrikh Mkhitaryan going in the opposite direction.

The Chilean superstar has reportedly agreed terms with us and now we’re just waiting for our Armenian attacking midfielder to agree a deal down south.

If all goes through, as many are expecting, then Sanchez could well be a Manchester United player before the weekend. If that’s the case, here’s the team I can see taking to the field at Turf Moor on Saturday:

Goalkeeper: David de Gea
Our Spanish goalkeeper is probably the first name on the teamsheet and there’s no reason why he would be dropped for this game.

Defence: Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw
Captain Antonio Valencia returned for our 3-0 thrashing of Stoke City on Monday night, scored the opening goal and played the full 90 minutes. The Ecuadorian is back to his full fitness and will start this one too. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling was the centre-back partnership versus the Potters and I don’t see Jose changing anything for this weekend’s game, though Marcos Rojo is waiting in line. Ashley Young is available again after suspension but I think we’ll see Luke Shaw maintaining his place at left-back.

Midfield: Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic; Alexis Sanchez, Jesse Lingard, Anthony Martial
Paul Pogba ran the show last time out and should start in the same role alongside Nemanja Matic this weekend too as we look to dominate possession and territory. The Serbian has only started two of our games in the New Year so will be fresh to do his defensive duties against a Burnley side whose form has dipped of late. If Alexis Sanchez is a Manchester United player in time then he has the fitness levels and intelligence to go straight into the starting lineup if Jose chooses. Though predominately a left-sided player I think we’re after him to solve our issue on the opposite side of the pitch. Jesse Lingard has been in form in the number 10 role so should keep his spot there, though Juan Mata would be available should Sanchez start on the right. Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford will battle it out to start down the left.

Striker: Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku scored a fine goal versus Stoke City on Monday to take his Premier League tally to 11 for the season. You can be sure the Belgium international starts this one too, and with Zlatan Ibrahimovic sidelined Marcus Rashford will be the backup on the bench.

Here’s our team on paper:

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