Burnley boss Parker applauds the fans (Image: PA)
Burnley boss Parker applauds the fans (Image: PA)
Scott Parker isn’t paying any attention to the “noise” around Manchester United as his Burnley squad head to Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim’s side have taken one point from their opening couple of league games and were stunned by Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
Parker is still wary of United’s quality and focusing more on what his own team can do after their encouraging victory against Sunderland.
“There is always noise around every team, I understand that. Sometimes that noise can be blown up,” he told a press conference.
“No doubt that at this moment in time, Man United and Amorim are in a place which is an uncomfortable place for them.
“But we are playing against a world-class team. On their day, these players can produce bits which can cause you problems.
“So my focus is on this team. Whether Man United – or whatever team it is - are in the best vein [of form]… it’s what we are and what we can bring to the game.
“You always need to always bring a certain level to a game of football and technically, tactically, you need to be on it as well. Hopefully, we will produce that this weekend.”
The Clarets chief has visited Old Trafford as a player and manager, and he insists approaching the game with “belief” is vital.
“They have immense quality in their side, which we are fully aware of,” Parker added. "You only have to see their frontline and what they have done over the summer.
"They have got some exceptional players and who can change games at any moment really. The ups and downs of football sometimes bring different results, of course, but we are under no illusions of the task we have ahead of us at the weekend.
“As always, we go there with a full belief that we can try to perform to our level of what we are going to need to try and get a result.
“I don't really look into whether it is good moments or bad moments, there are always flip sides to that.
“You can look at one side of it and say it is a bit of a wounded animal with world-class players that can obviously have a reaction.
United boss Amorim has come under pressure
United boss Amorim has come under pressure (Image: PA)
“On the other side, there may be a bit of edginess. But fundamentally, we will try and give our best version and take on that task.”
The transfer deadline is days away and Parker says Burnley could still do further business to bolster their squad.
“We are hoping to try and maybe do some business if we can,” he explained. “That will come down to a lot of things and a lot of boxes needing to be ticked.
“Like anyone in this position, there are a lot of things that need to fall into place. There may be some players that probably leave, just down to the sheer squad numbers we have. For those players, to go and get some real game time is essential really.
“So I’m sure it will be a busy three or four days like it always is. Not the best of times for any manager and there is a lot of uncertainty in certain moments, which is not great, but we will get there.”
Armando Broja, who joined from Chelsea earlier this month, made his first appearance in claret and blue against Derby County on Tuesday night.
The Albanian international has been building up his fitness after his lack of minutes in pre-season before heading to Lancashire.
Parker was pleased to give Broja some minutes against the Rams and is excited about what he can bring to the team this season.
“Armando has come in, probably not had a full pre-season and, for sure, needs some work still to get him up to that speed,” said the head coach.
“We brought him in here because I fully understand the quality of what he can bring and I think everyone has seen now and witnessed a Premier League striker.
“Firstly, we are going to tread carefully here to get him to a level where he needs to be able to operate at his best.
“But I have absolutely no doubt that we have a very good player that can have a massive impact for us this year.”
Burnley have demonstrated their tactical flexibility during their first couple of games back in the top flight, switching between a back four and five at times.
“In the summer, we obviously did a lot of work in terms of the team that we are going to need to be,” Parker recalled.
“One of the things was us, certainly from my position, wanting us to be pretty flexible in whether we go with a five or can play with a four.
“I think we have managed to execute that over the course of pre-season. There is a lot of work that has gone into that.
“You are always worried as a coach whether there is too much information and a lot of detail going on.
“But the players have taken to it really well and it gives us flexibility, tactically, to go a few different ways in games so I am happy with that.”