Manchester United travelled to Turf Moor to face Burnley in a Tuesday fixture of the Premier League. United were looking to banish the memories of the FA Cup. A win tonight would seal a third consecutive league victory and aid in maintaining progress toward a top-four finish.
United’s record at Turf Moor is extremely strong and the Red Devils had won on each of their last five Premier League visits, with the hosts failing to register a goal in any. Since losing their first Premier League encounter in 2009, United had suffered defeat only once in the last fourteen meetings.
Tonight marked a significant milestone for the hosts, as it was Burnley’s 5,000th league game in English football. United were certainly treating their opponents with the best of respect, and lined out with a catalogue of international footballers, despite the notable omission of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Top four has never been so important for the reds and the exceptionally loyal travelling contingent expected. Ralf Rangnick is extremely vocal about the importance of finishing in the Champions League spots and nights like tonight are key to achieving that.
Despite the disappointment at the weekend, United were largely impressive in their play and created multiple opportunities. Hope was that the players would continue in this fashion and take the game to the hosts early on.
Jadon Sancho was one of the real standouts against Middlesbrough and he was prominent early on once more. A constant threat on the left to begin, his teammates were eager to supply him with the ball. The presence of compatriot Marcus Rashford on the opposite flank meant United had ample opportunities to terrorise the Burnley backline.
Controversy is never too far away when United are involved, and it took only 13 minutes for the latest instalment. An exquisite delivery from a Bruno Fernandes cross saw Raphaël Varane head home his first goal for the club. However, following a recommendation from VAR, referee Mike Dean ruled the goal out for a Maguire block on Rodriguez.
Previous versions of United may have wilted in disappointment, but this particular side appeared to have some added drive. It took 5 minutes for United to have the ball in the net again and this time it stood. Great work on the left from Rashford and Luke Shaw saw Paul Pogba place the ball into the roof of the net. A wonderfully worked goal and just deserts for United’s impressive play.
5 minutes later and United would have a second goal ruled out! Rashford collected the ball on the right and drove the ball into the box, with Brownhill bundling the ball into his own net. However, on this occasion, the linesman would advise of a foul from Pogba during the buildup. For many eyes, a fortuitous decision for the home side.
The remainder of the half would see United threatening in possession and on the break. Burnley keeper Nick Pope would be busy for most and rack up a total of four key saves in the half alone. United were impressive, again, and but for the decisions of VAR, the referee and linesman, could have ended the game in 45 minutes. Much optimism for the 2nd half.
Burnley restarted in a more urgent fashion, and despite some impressive counter-attacking from United, profited from some very poor defending in the 47th minute. It really was a kick in the teeth for a United side that had dominated the game.
The game moved from end to end for the next 10-15 minutes. Both sides enjoyed passages of possession, with the dangerous Weghorst the standout for the hosts. United was struggling to impose themselves and the home crowd were acting as a stellar 12th man. Rangnick needed to respond and introduced Ronaldo in the 68th minute.
With the rain pouring down, the players began to struggle with ball retention. Little of note occurred until a Rashford inspired dribble saw him better three defenders, fashioning an opportunity for Varane, only for his sublime backheel to be denied by Ben Mee.
United brought on Jesse Lingard and Anthony Elanga in a final throw of the dice. In a 2nd half that saw United struggle to really threaten the Burnley goal, it was looking like more dropped points and further disappointment.
United pressed for the winning goal but met firm resistance from a familiar Burnley backline. It’s another night where there are more questions than answers, and the knives will be well and truly out tomorrow.
As I’ve said above, if a side is serious about a top-four spot, these are the nights that count.
Five talking points:
1. Is Shaw back? The left-back had a rare league start tonight. The mandatory absence of Alex Telles meaning the Englishman had an opportunity to impress. His work in the 1st half was extremely impressive and his overlapping runs complimented both Sancho and Rashford. An assist for Pogba and the closest we’ve seen to the Luke Shaw of 2020-21.
2. McTominay at the 6. As I had written about some time ago, I’ve always felt that McTominay can grow into the number 6 role. Having Bruno transition between a 10 and an 8, with Pogba lying on the opposite side, United have a creative centre that can not only control games; but can supply ample creativity when sides aim to sit deep and consolidate. We saw it against Middlesbrough and for large stages again tonight. One to watch!
3. Sancho is spectacular. There’s a natural expectation for any £70M signing to deliver, but the Englishman’s start to life in Manchester has been slow. He burst to life against Middlesbrough and was arguably the most impressive player on the field tonight. His intelligence and trickery on the ball is a joy to watch.
4. Maguire was left wanting. From the 1st half of control to a 2nd half where the captain was careless, uninspiring in his decision making and at fault for the goal, there’s not a lot of positives to boast. He had an opportunity to head home a set-piece in the dying seconds but it grazed his shoulder and went wide. A night that he’ll certainly want to forget.
5. Mentality (or lack of). Every time this side appears to turn a corner, the slightest chink can unsettle them. Similar to Middlesbrough, the game should have been over in the first half. When the slightest hint of adversity is presented, the team is unrecognisable. Another disappointing evening.
