KOMPANY SAYS CLARETS ‘MUST EMBRACE THE CHALLENGE’ AHEAD OF UNITED TRIP

Clarets boss previews Saturday’s visit to Old Trafford

Ahead of this weekend’s trip to Old Trafford, Manager Vincent Kompany urges his team to ’embrace the challenge and tackle it head on’ as the Clarets prepare to take on Manchester United.

Burnley head to Manchester after an impressive 4-1 win at Sheffield United last Saturday and Kompany’s side will be looking to continue their run of form which has seen the Clarets lost just once in their last seven Premier League fixtures.

Speaking on Thursday ahead of the encounter, Kompany discussed the significance of facing Manchester United at Old Trafford and what test he is expecting from the Red Devils.

The Burnley boss said: “Look, it’s a meaningful game for us and has been for many years for me as a player, but this weekend it’s all about Burnley v Manchester United.

“When you play a top team like Manchester United, you have to appreciate the challenge you face, but you must also embrace the challenge and tackle it head on.

“They have some clear strengths within their team with high quality players that can score lots of goals. They’ve had their fair share of struggles with injuries but we just have to focus on us, our game and what we do.”

Kompany added: “It (Old Trafford) will always be a place you look forward to going to play at. I think everyone in the league looks forward to playing the top teams away from home and United is one of them.

“For me, the fact I have been there so many times as a player, as a manager now you try use that to your experience, but for my players it’s a game they belong to play in and are looking forward to.”

Burnley’s recent form has seen Kompany’s men close the gap to just three points from climbing out of the bottom three to 17th place and the Clarets boss puts the results down to ‘consistency and hard work’.

“The biggest thing is consistency, hard work and making sure to not get distracted by the outside noise has been the main factor. We haven’t found the recipe for Champions League football yet but we are improving every game.

“I know we still have a chance and that’s all that matters to me, whether it’s two teams, three teams or four teams still in it, it doesn’t matter too much to me.

“There has been very few times where the place and mood has been low, the mood is good and has remained good. Very rare occasion where we have been defeated and down about a game.

“We have been so close for a while and that was a nice reward last weekend for the work we do, it’s about building on that now and taking it into Saturday.”