John O'Shea wants to bring Burnley crashing down to earth a bit
sooner than normal at Turf Moor on Wednesday night.
Manchester United are the Clarets' first visitors for a
top-flight game since 1976 and a capacity crowd will welcome Sir
Alex Ferguson's men, providing a pretty hostile atmosphere in the
process.
Not that United's players will be too bothered about that. And,
having opened their title defence with a narrow win over Birmingham
on Sunday, O'Shea is determined to make it two victories on the
trot.
"We know teams that get promoted are on such a high in the first
month in particular, then they realise how tough the Premier League
is," said O'Shea.
"We have to make sure they realise it a bit earlier than
normal."
It used to be said London clubs were at a disadvantage in the
championship stakes due to the number of local derbies they had to
play.
Now the balance has shifted to the north-west. Including Stoke,
there are nine teams from the region, with Burnley the latest
addition.
Mind you, there is not much travelling involved. And, for United
at least, it is better to get the game out of the way now than in
the depths of mid-winter.
"We are glad not to be going to Turf Moor in December or
January," said O'Shea.
"We get the best of the pitch, which could be an advantage.
There are definitely worse times to be playing Burnley.
"We are not travelling too far either. We know exactly what it
is like when you play the likes of Wigan or Bolton and we are aware
the atmosphere will be pretty intense.
"But we have had great results against all those sides and
hopefully we can use that as the key for this one."
Wes Brown stands by to replace Jonny Evans, while Michael
Carrick and Anderson look set to start in central midfield after
not even making the bench at the weekend.
They will come up against a familiar face too in Chris Eagles,
who spent five years at Old Trafford before joining Burnley at the
start of last season.
"Chris normally says he will get five goals every game," laughed
O'Shea.
"It will no doubt be the same again because he is a confident
lad.
"I am sure the Burnley fans are hoping he can produce some of
the form we know he can and he can be a star for them and score
lots of great goals, but not on this occasion."
