Burnley and Manchester United may both still be a long way off achieving their objectives – The Clarets are stuck in the relegation zone while the Red Devils are seven points off fifth – but a win certainly does wonders for your self-belief.
Ahead of this Saturday’s 3pm clash at Old Trafford, both Erik ten Hag‘s Manchester United and Vincent Kompany’s Burnley snapped a dismal run of results.
Man United’s 4-2 win over bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United was their first in seven in the league. Burnley, meanwhile, also put four past the same opposition at Bramall Lane, Kompany’s team threatening to pull of an escape that no one saw coming.
The former Man City captain, during a difficult first season in top-flight management, has come in for plenty of criticism. But nothing compared to the scrutiny his opposite number is forced to ensure on an almost daily basis, Ten Hag’s fuse growing shorter seemingly by the week especially in the aftermath of that FA Cup collapse against Coventry City.
And Kompany was in no mood to add to the narrative at his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, a man who also knows how it feels to have your future discussed so publicly sympathising with a manager who’s future beyond the current campaign remains very much up in the air.
Burnley boss backs Erik ten Hag
“No, come on, he’s a manager I have a lot of respect for,” Kompany told BBC Sport when asked – as a City legend – if he was enjoying seeing his old club’s red-clad neighbours stumble along outside of the Champions League places.
“(Ten Hag is a coach that) I know the quality of. He was at Ajax while I was at Anderlecht in Belgium and I’ve seen the quality of his teams and what he’s been doing. On the contrary, there’s a form of respect here.”
Kompany’s desire to claim a famous win at Old Trafford is certainly not driven by wanting to get one over on his old rivals. More that Burnley, should results go their way, can draw level on points with 17th place Nottingham Forest. And few will give Nuno Espirito Santo’s side of picking up a win of their own, Man City arriving at the City Ground.
Kompany, meanwhile, is fully aware of the attacking talent Man United have at their disposal, even if the Red Devils’ goal difference stands at a measly plus-one at the end of April.
Bruno Fernandes shining for Manchester United
“They have some high quality players in the final third,” the former Belgium international adds. “They have had struggles with injuries but when you play Man Utd you play a top team in the country and you have to embrace the challenge.”
United beat Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor at the beginning of the campaign. Bruno Fernandes, who scored a brilliant winner in that game, is enjoying his best run of form of the entire season. A brace and an assist against Sheffield United took his tally to nine ‘goal contributions’ in his last five outings.
Ten Hag, meanwhile, confirmed after that Blades clash that there may be a place back in the United squad for Mason Mount.