Brian Laws has yet to manage a team at Old Trafford

New Burnley boss Brian Laws has urged his team to show "no fear" and exploit an inconsistent Manchester United when they meet at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Burnley could complete a Premier League double over the champions after beating United 1-0 at Turf Moor back in August.

And Laws, who succeeded Owen Coyle as Clarets boss this week, believes it is a good time to play a "wary" United.

"The pressure has totally transferred on to Manchester United. They are having a sticky moment," said Laws.

United, who return to action following a week of warm-weather training in Qatar, are second in the Premier League but have only won three of their previous seven games in all competitions.

Their most recent ignominy was the surprise FA Cup elimination at the hands of League One leaders Leeds.

They are having a sticky moment and this may be a good time to play them Burnley boss Brian Laws

However, Burnley are only two points above the drop zone and are without a league win since October.

Laws also faces a selection headache in defence as he will be without injured captain Steven Caldwell, while Clarke Carlisle is rated as only 50-50 with a side strain.

But Laws claimed the whole country would be behind the Clarets as the 48-year-old goes head-to-head with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time in his career.

"They are having a sticky moment and this may be a good time to play them," said Laws, who made over 150 appearances for the Clarets as a player.

"We will go there with no fear and they will be very wary about whether Burnley will do the double over them.

"Burnley deserved the result at the start of the season and the whole country was delighted. It gave a realism back to football and this was what Burnley had been waiting for for 30 years.

"There's no reason why they can't go and do it again, everything is possible."

Laws joked he would buy Ferguson - whose habit it is to treat visiting managers to a post-match tipple - to a crate of wine should Burnley manage a shock victory.

"I know he likes a glass of wine after the match and I shall have to bring a nice bottle for him," added Laws.

"I'm not particularly keen on wine personally but I'll give him a crate if it gives us the points!"

606: DEBATE A good defensive display is a must. I really don't expect to get anything but I wouldn't want us to get hammered ightenclaret

Laws played at Old Trafford regularly as full-back with Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest, but the former Sheffield Wednesday, Scunthorpe and Grimsby boss has, until now, plied his managerial trade in the lower divisions.

"I don't really need to justify it but people keep saying 'you haven't got any managerial experience in the Premiership' and they are right but I can quite whitewash anybody in terms of games," added Laws, whose managerial career stretches to about 700 matches.

"It's about managing people and football clubs and we are in the Premiership, but it's nothing different to anywhere else, apart from being with better players."

Laws confirmed Burnley were in talks with striker David Nugent about extending his loan deal from Portsmouth until the end of the season.

However, he would not comment on reports linking Burnley with Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Lee Grant.

He added: "David is absolutely keen to stay, he's enjoyed it here and we are in negotiations.

"As for Lee Grant, obviously he's a very, very good goalkeeper but that's just speculation."

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