Ole explains advantage for Turf Moor test

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes the nature of our victory over Newcastle United on Boxing Day could help Manchester United gain another valuable three points when we travel to Burnley on Saturday night.

The boss oversaw a routine 4-1 win over Steve Bruce’s Magpies, which helped cut the gap to the top-four spots to just four points.

United had raced into a three-goal lead with nearly 40 minutes remaining in the Boxing Day clash, meaning the latter stages of the match were played at a slower pace, while Ole was also able to withdraw goalscorers Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial earlier than anticipated.

In contrast, our next opponents Burnley played out a frenetic match with Everton on the same day. That encounter ended with the Toffees sneaking a 1-0 win, but Sean Dyche’s men were left battling well into injury time in an ultimately unsuccessful effort to grab an equaliser.

For that reason, Ole feels United go into the game on 28 December - just two days after the Newcastle tussle - with a slight advantage over our Lancashire hosts.

“We’re probably in the best position to perform on Saturday,” he told the media after our victory over the Magpies.

“One - we knew the game was over after 45 minutes. Two - we’re young, so we’re in with a great chance at Burnley to perform to our best level.

“I think the average age of the outfield players today was 23 and that will make it easier for us to recover. I think Burnley played to the end against Everton and I think we were done after 45 minutes and used the second half as a recovery [period].”

The Boxing Day win was the second of the Reds’ four games in just 11 days over the festive period, and the boss admitted he is not a fan of the busy fixture pile-up around this time of year.

“I don’t think it’s fair on the boys at all,” he said. “I don’t think it’s fair to be expected to perform at the top of your level - both mentally and physically - 48 hours after you’ve played.

“Two games in three days is possible, just once in a while, but not when’s it’s as tight as this. But, I’m impressed with everyone in the dressing room and the way they have all looked after themselves.

“That’s why they could stay at home last night. There was no point staying in a hotel, because I trust them. They know what is the right thing to do.”

Ole made just two changes from last weekend’s disappointing loss to Watford, for Thursday’s win over Newcastle but he hinted there could be a few more alterations for the trip to Turf Moor and has already rated Scott McTominay doubtful.

“I expect players that weren’t in the squad today [Thursday] to be available,” he told reporters. “There were a few other players in the training group and we’ll still have fresh legs.”