What’s the team news? United could be without Chris Smalling - who has started the last 13 league games - after he pulled up with what appeared to be a groin strain in the closing stages of Saturday's draw at the King Power Stadium, just before Harry Maguire's equaliser. Fellow centre-back Eric Bailly will definitely be out again after undergoing surgery on his ankle and right-back Antonio Valencia is doubtful after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury. In midfield, the boss doesn't expect Michael Carrick to feature over the festive period and is unsure whether Marouane Fellaini will be able to return in the meantime. For Burnley, highly-rated defender James Tarkowski misses out as he serves the second game of a three-match ban, while their record signing Chris Wood is a doubt after being replaced in the first half against Tottenham. The striker was injured following a collision with Hugo Lloris. Former Reds Tom Heaton (dislocated shoulder) and Robbie Brady (knee) are long-term absentees, while experienced left-back Stephen Ward is still out with a knee problem.
How are the Clarets doing? After comfortably avoiding relegation in their first season back in the top flight last term, Burnley are riding high in the table and enjoying a remarkable campaign so far under the tutelage of Sean Dyche. The sought-after manager celebrated his fifth anniversary at the club recently. At the halfway stage of the league season, the Clarets sit seventh heading into this game - just three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool - having won nine, drawn five and lost five of their 19 matches so far. They were unbeaten in three matches - beating Watford and Stoke 1-0 at home before a goalless draw at Brighton - prior to the weekend's chastening loss at the hands of Spurs and hat-trick hero Harry Kane.
What happened when we last faced them? We met the Clarets twice in the league last term and produced a better result on the road. Dyche's men frustrated the Reds at Old Trafford, with former United goalkeeper Tom Heaton in inspired form, to earn a goalless draw as Ander Herrera was sent off after a second yellow card in the second half. First-half goals by Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney secured a 2-0 triumph at Turf Moor back in April.
Who is Burnley's biggest threat? If he is passed fit to play, burly striker Wood could provide the biggest headache to United's defence. The New Zealand international has five goals this season, and was formerly with the Reds' old rivals Leeds United. Much of the Lancashire side's good work, however, has been based around their stout defensive work. Incidentally, the Clarets have the third best record in the division, conceding just 15 league goals so far this season.
What's our Boxing Day record like? Well, the Reds are in fact the best performing side on this particular date in the calendar in the Premier League era with 19 wins, two draws and just two defeats. Those results mean that United have won 59 points on Boxing Day - 15 more than the closest challengers Arsenal, though the Londoners have played three games fewer.
Who is the referee? The man in the middle will be West Yorkshire whistler Martin Atkinson - who has taken charge of 31 previous United encounters, with the Reds winning 18 of these. His assistants will be Stephen Child and Harry Lennard, while the fourth official will be Lee Mason. Atkinson was also in charge of our Boxing Day game last year - a 3-1 win over Sunderland at home, remembered for Henrikh Mkhitaryan's outrageous scorpion kick.
Who else is playing? It's traditionally a huge day for football in England with 18 of the 20 Premier League clubs in action. The exceptions are Newcastle United and leaders Manchester City, who meet at St James' Park on Wednesday after an extra day's break. Here are the fixtures in full:
Tuesday 26 December (All games played at 15:00 GMT unless stated)
Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton (12:30 GMT)
Bournemouth v West Ham United
Chelsea v Brighton & Hove Albion
Huddersfield Town v Stoke City
Manchester United v Burnley
Watford v Leicester City
West Bromwich Albion v Everton
Liverpool v Swansea City (17:30 GMT)
Wednesday 27 December
Newcastle United v Manchester City (19:45 GMT)
