Manchester United vs Burnley – Live blog: pre-match build, text commentary and more

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17:58 That’s all folks!

Thanks for joining us for live updates from today’s game!

17:53 Job done

United are now eight points behind Manchester City with six games to play.

Like we have said so many times this season, it wasn’t convincing but United’s class shone through in the end against disruptive Burnley.

United at home to Burnley is never the most watchable game but it is job done tonight.

17:53 FT: Manchester United 3-1 Burnley

17:51 GOAL!

What a great goal to seal the game.

United were desperate in defence but suddenly broke with Burnley committed.

Cavani, Greenwood, Fernandes and Van de Beek are all involved with precise passes before the Uruguayan striker taps home to finish it.

17:49 United should have a third

United are threatening a third late on and Bruno Fernandes should have his name on the scoresheet.

The Portuguese talisman remains composed but has his shot blocked on the line with the goalkeeper deserted.

17:48 Great save

Greenwood plays a perfectly weighted pass through to McTominay who made a driving run from midfield.

McTominay’s low effort is well saved by the impressive Peacock-Farrell.

17:45 Greenwood at the double

Much has been said about Greenwood’s goal record this season but he doesn’t look like missing right now.

Two goals today and surely he has to be considered by Gareth Southgate as an England wildcard option for the Euros this summer.

There are few more clinical players in and around the box.

17:42 GOAL!

United have their goal! The ball is played out to Mason Greenwood out wide and the youngster has only one thing on his mind. His powerful strike is deflected cruelly beyond Peacock-Farrell.

Solskjaer’s side have the lead late on!

17:41 Substitution

Marcus Rashford is replaced by Donny van de Beek six minutes from time.

17:34 United need a winner

United could have had a penalty had Shaw gone down in the box. The left-back and Rashford have been linking up brilliantly in the second-half.

Under 15 minutes to go to find a winner.

17:27 Close!

United are probing now. Rashford feeds through Shaw on the overlap and Fernandes’ header is saved by Peacock-Farrell.

17:24 Damning stat

United are not learning their lessons.

17:23 Great Chance

Burnley have a great chance to take the lead but former academy graduate Dwight McNeil hits his own man in the box.

At the other end, Rashford makes Tarkowksi look silly and Maguire heads wide from a corner.

The game is opening up as we enter the last quarter…

17:19 Rashford so dangerous

United have been on top since Burnley’s equaliser and Rashford is looking so threatening. Another shot blocked from the forward.

17:15 Henderson unnerved

The first minute near-calamity is clearly in Henderson’ mind as he goes for another long-ball that he gets nowhere near.

The United goalkeeper is a bag of nerves right now. His junior sized hat doesn’t seem to be doing him any favours, either…

17:08 GOAL

Burnley are level seconds after United took the lead.

United have not learned from their vulnerabilities from the set-piece and James Tarkowski towers over Maguire to header home an equaliser.

17:06 GOAL

United have the lead and it comes in fine style.

Marcus Rashford bursts down the left, passes through to Fernandes who dummies brilliantly for Greenwood who does not miss those.

17:04 Second half underway and a substitution

We are back underway and Cavani has replaced Fred; an attacking change!

17:00 Cavani warming up

United have had no focal point but it looks like their best striker could soon be asked to make an impact.

16:57 Half-time review

In amongst the chaos, we have watched 45 minutes of pretty underwhelming football.

United have been wasteful and unambitious in possession in midfield, limited to just two shots on target.

Burnley have made life difficult, despite having very little possession.

Solskjaer might have to turn to the bench early to try find some inspiration.

16:54 Neville is not the only one furious with the European Super League plans

16:47 Half-time!

That was a half dominated by what is unfolding off the field rather than on it.

United’s most threatening player has been Rashford but Burnley have not let them settle and could be ahead through Wood.

16:46 Spot on

Andy Mitten weighs in on the scandalous European Super League proposals.

16:42 Neville doesn’t mince his words

Gary Neville is fuming in the gantry about the European Super League proposals that will end football as we know it.

He has described it as ‘an absolute scandal’ and said the clubs involved should be ashamed of themselves.

“They should deduct points from all the top six who have signed up for it.”

16:39 What a chance!

Rashford puts it on a plate for Greenwood with a deft cross along the six yard box.

Greenwood lunges, somehow misses the ball and the chance goes.

On reflection, a goal would have been ruled out for offside.

16:35 There’s a distraction

United fans can be forgiven for not having full focus here.

Another story is exploding elsewhere about a breakaway European Super League involving United and four other English teams….

16:31 Great save

Rashford is United’s most dangerous player from the left and his ferocious shot is tipped over by Burnley stand-in Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

Pogba misses a good header opportunity from the following corner.

16:27 Yellow Card

Wan-Bissaka is booked after losing his footing and falling into a clumsy challenge.

{live, 16: 26, Rashford looking sharp}

United are struggling to assert any sustained dominance but one positive is that Marcus Rashford doesn’t seem inhibited by his foot problem.

The England international has been right so far.

16:15 Chance!

Bruno Fernandes knows he could have done better there.

United’s talisman curled a shot just wide moments after Wood’s strike was saved by Henderson.

Both teams looking dangerous on the break.

16:14 Henderson saves

Henderson stays alert to keep out Wood after United are caught out on the break.

16:11 Chance!

Great looping header from Pogba is well tipped behind for a corner.

16:05 Bright from Rashford

An encouraging start from Rashford as United look to settle.

The Englishman fed Wan-Bissaka after a clever turn and Scott McTominay’s threatening shot was blocked.

16:02 Goal disallowed

Almost a nightmare start for United as Burnley have the ball in the net inside the first minute.

Chris Wood’s goal is chalked off for offside and Dean Henderson is a very lucky man.

15:58 Pogba operating from the left

Pogba’s comments on his relationship with ex-manager Jose Mourinho have dominated the build up to this game but he is playing under a manager he trusts in Solskjaer.

The Frenchman was exceptional from the left in last Sunday’s victory over Spurs and he is likely to occupy the same position as part of a front three today.

15:54 Dean Henderson is number one

David de Gea could play an important role in leading United to Europa League success but he is firmly second-choice in the goalkeeping pecking order.

Dean Henderson returns to the starting XI as one of five changes this afternoon.

15:50 Rashford speaks out on his injury

Rashford needs to be managed but Solskjaer sees him as indispensable.

15:48 No Amad today

United fans are still waiting patiently for Amad to start his first game but he is not involved in any capacity this afternoon.

Instead, Solskjaer has Edinson Cavani, Daniel James and Donny van de Beek as his main game changers from the bench.

{live, 15: 41, Greenwood to lead the line}

No Manchester United fan has been in any doubt over Mason Greenwood’s ability this season, despite a lack of goals.

Greenwood’s progress cannot be quantified by just numbers but Solskjaer will hope he is firing tonight.

We expect to see him lead the line with Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba supporting on the flanks.

15:39 United team news reaction

The team is largely as expected with three suspended players from the Granada tie returning to the starting lineup.

Marcus Rashford is carrying an injury and must be managed carefully so expect to see Edinson Cavani enter the fold as we reach the hour mark.

15:35 How today’s opponents line up]

{live, 15:32, United lineup to face Burnley

Solskjaer has made five changes from the side that defeated Granada in midweek.

Man Utd XI to face Burnley: Henderson, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, McTominay, Fernandes, Pogba, Rashford, Greenwood.

15:30 Welcome!

Hello and welcome along to today’s live blog including updates and opinion for Manchester United’s Premier League clash against Burnley.

 

 

 

 

 

Join us for live blog coverage of Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Burnley at Old Trafford; kick-off 16:00.

Live updates will show up instantly above this text and the feed begins shortly after 15:30.

We’ve got text commentary, updates, goal clips, observations and opinion. If you want to join the interaction, send a tweet to @StrettyNews.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have won four consecutive games since the March international break and are hoping to build on good form with victory over struggling Burnley.

Sean Dyche’s Clarets are not yet safe from relegation, sitting precariously in 17th position in the league table.

United meanwhile, are comfortably within the top four and will be hoping to consolidate second place further with a home victory.

The Reds can move within eight points of league leaders Manchester City in the league by securing three points, after the Blues missed the chance to match United’s historic Treble by losing to Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley.

Solskjaer has made five changes to the lineup that defeated Granada in midweek, with Marcus Rashford, Dean Henderson, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay all returning.

Man Utd XI to face Burnley: Henderson, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, McTominay, Fernandes, Pogba, Rashford, Greenwood.

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