SUPERMAC Expect war of attrition as similar styles clash

BEARDS NOT ONLY THING BOSSES HAVE IN COMMON

I AM expecting to witness a terrific tactical battle when I settle down to watch Newcastle play at Burnley on Monday night.

In lots of ways they are a spitting image of one another. If I said the team is disciplined, hard-working, physically strong, with great spirit, I could be describing Burnley as well as United.

Neither side has an overload of flair, we are not going to witness the Entertainers, but it will fascinate for the football connoisseur.

United will have to show all the determination and patience they displayed against Crystal Palace (when not playing well) if they are to succeed at Turf Moor.

Burnley do not score a lot of goals, they are not going to get three against you, but they will make life tough. The first to blink loses.

United are a team in the mould of their manager.

Rafa Benitez is not an Antonio Conte or Jurgen Klopp. He does not run up and down the side of the pitch pumping his fist.

He remains calm and collected even when Newcastle score.

It is not a lack of passion, it is just he realises a team is most vulnerable after a goal and he is already trying to organise and urge his players to concentrate.

The jumping jacks might appeal to the neutrals but Benitez is Mr Calm and it works for him and his team.

Even though the game was dire, I admired what Newcastle did to get three points against Palace.

They stuck to their game plan, to doing all the right things despite it not all coming off for individuals, and so with four minutes to go made the vital breakthrough.

Winning when not playing well is a massive plus for any side. It shows character and camaraderie.

By the way, speaking of good performances, I witnessed one of the finest ever this week.

I watched England beat Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final of the Under17s World Cup in India.

They were truly magnificent, playing such sweet football. Everyone outside of the goalkeeper, who spilled a couple, had stormers.

Considering England won the Under-19s World Cup as well, the future of our game looks healthy.

Yet I must ask this pertinent question: how many of those players will we see gracing the Premier League shortly? Not many I fear.

Clubs will not risk kids. They would rather buy foreign players.

I worry United may not see the best of Freddie Woodman, who might go out on loan regularly to gain experience and then be forgotten. Just like another England age group player Adam Armstrong and a whole bunch of Chelsea kids.

As a former England forward, I would like to congratulate the lads in the under-17s final.

They take on Spain today and I urge you to watch them.