How Man Utd could line up vs Burnley with Rangnick facing decision over ‘whinge bag’ Cristiano Ronaldo

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Manchester United are preparing to take a side in the bottom three of the Premier League for the third game in a row.

Sean Dyche and Burnley visit Old Trafford tonight for Manchester United’s final game of 2021.

Man Utd's probable starting XI vs Burnley

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Man Utd’s probable starting XI vs Burnley
Cavani could have been promoted to the starting side after his heroics against Newcastle

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Cavani could have been promoted to the starting side after his heroics against Newcastlecredit: AFP
Rangnik has a dilemma whether to include Ronaldo or not

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Rangnik has a dilemma whether to include Ronaldo or notcredits: PA

United will be without Bruno Fernandes after taking the booking in a 1-1 draw against Newcastle.

Interim boss Ralph Rangnik also has to decide whether he will include Cristiano Ronaldo from the start.

United players were branded as ‘whining bags’ by Gary Neville at half-time at a Newcastle game, after which Ronaldo descended the tunnel the entire time.

There are some question marks over his attitude, so here’s how SunSport looks at how United can line up in Rangnik’s 4-2-2-2 formation as they look to see 2021 in style.

David de Gea is arguably United’s player of the season so far, and there is no question mark over his status.

Rangnik has preferred Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw to attack full-backs Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles since their arrival, so the pairing may be allowed again.

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And despite looking comfortable against Newcastle, Harry Maguire and Rafael Varane are expected to defend again.

Viktor Lindelof remains out with Covid-19, so this is likely to be an unchanged back four.

Scott McTominay and Fred remain the first choices to keep midfielders, but the Scotsman was knocked out in the closing stages on Monday, and faces fitness tests of late.

If fit to play, he and Fred will partner in midfield.

Ahead of him, Donny van de Beek could be recalled in place of the suspended Fernandes, and Jadon could play alongside Sancho.

Sancho looked lively when he got off the bench at St James’s Park and could be rewarded with a start.

Edison Cavani is also expected to be rewarded from the start after scoring from the bench earlier in the week.

He has been out since November with a tendon injury but is more likely to be cleared before Marcus Rashford if he is fit to play again.

And despite his sharp antics, Ronaldo is also expected to retain his place in the team.

Alternatively, the second game in a span of four days can deal a big blow to the team.

An alternate Man Utd XI

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An alternate Man Utd XI

Varane has recently recovered from an injury and may be rested, giving Eric Bailly a start in his place.

Shaw and Wan-Bissaka can also be called back to relieve Tails and Dalot.

And if the McTominay fit doesn’t pass, the Nemanja Matic is likely to start instead.

Anthony Elanga could be given the chance to shine against the Clarets in place of the suspended Fernandes, while Rashford could retain his place but in a deeper role.

Cavani takes a shoo-in to start, but it remains to be seen who stands next to him.

Following his angry reaction to the draw at Newcastle, Rangnik could also have made the bold decision to play Mason Greenwood over Ronaldo.

read our Manchester United Live Blog For the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford

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