Returning Reds into the quarter-finals
A goal in each half by Cristian Eriksen and a superb solo effort from Marcus Rashford ensured that the home side’s progression to the next round. Many feared ring rust could have played a part against the championship leaders but it was fairly straightforward in the end. Good to be back for many of us!
Former City defender, Kompany, will probably be disappointed with how it turned out. They will have been the fresher given they have had action recently but certain areas let them down. They made enough chances but failed to make much of them. In fact, most were down to United errors rather than good play from themselves.
Erik Ten Haag saw most of his World Cup representatives return to training this week and actually only made two changes from their last game 38 days ago. Lisandro Martinez deemed not ready, and David De Gea rested. In came Aaron Wan-Bissaka for a rare start and an even rarer start for Martin Dubravka. Harry Maguire had an illness, so Casemiro started in defence. Vincent Kompany has seen two wins since the return of the Championship. Arijanet Muric and Jay Rodriguez dropped to the bench. They were replaced by Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Ashley Barnes.
Both sides attacking ambitions were clear in the early stages. Johann Berg Gudmundsson skipped away down the left and put a cross towards Ashley Barnes. He had just strayed offside though. The home side began to see more of the ball and push their visitors back. Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes combined to create an opportunity for Alejandro Garnacho. Bailey Peacock-Farrell came out quickly to block him. The young winger was set away again shortly after, but his control let him down.
The patient approach proved to be the key as United went ahead. Fernandes played a raking ball out to the right-hand side. It seemed as if it was going out before Aaron Wan-Bissaka stretched out a leg with a late run around the back to hook it into the centre. Cristian Eriksen was alive to the danger and slammed it home for his first goal at Old Trafford.
Burnley’s response was a good one and it was through the work of Manuel Benson. The tricky winger saw one dangerous cross hacked away by Scott McTominay before he turned inside and unleashed a curling shot that Martin Dubravka had to tip over. The goalkeeper had a few nervous moments as he came out and missed the subsequent corner that rebounded off a few players and needed to be cleared off the line by a combination of Wan-Bissaka and Casemiro. He then almost missed a back-pass that was cleared in time.
Utd responded by a driving run by McTominay which was taken inside by Anthony Martial. He demonstrated some excellent close control to shift the ball away from the retreating defenders. His shot was bound for the top corner but deflected just over.
Both sides started slow but United should have gone further ahead within a few minutes. Again it was Fernandes who was the instigator with another sweeping pass out wide after he had won the ball high up. Rashford knocked it down to the on-rushing McTominay. He was unable to keep his shot down though.
It was the man with the final assist who claimed the second. Again United won the ball high up the field and Rashford drove towards the Burnley half. He managed to beat a couple of players via his speed and trickery and seized his opportunity. An excellent shot low and true into the bottom corner. Martial did help by dragging defenders away but the striker deserved all the credit. Showing what was missing against France.
Burnley could have gotten back into it but managed to squander two great chances. Firstly substitute Darko Churlinov was found by Gudmundsson around the back of Wan-Bissaka. He was unable to find the bottom corner as he advanced on goal. For the second the ball came back into the area as they dispossessed United just outside their own area. It seemed a foul on McTominay but Barnes hammered it over the bar anyway.
United could have put the game to bed on the break. Anthony Elanga combined with Antony to create an opportunity for Fernandes. The final pass from the Brazilian winger was lacking and he was forced wide before it was cleared. Those in attendance took the opportunity to belt out the festive numbers about Cantona and a new ditty regarding our feelings on Ronaldo.
Burnley continued to create and waste chances. Ian Maatsen had an effort go out for a corner. The resulting set piece saw Gudmundsson put it wide when he was unmarked. He then set up Barnes for an opportunity at the near post after a rare loose pass from Casemiro. Again it went past the post just before he was hooked. Fernandes picked up a booking ruling him out of the quarter-finals which will have annoyed the boss.
A good workout in the end. A clean sheet for Dubravka despite his occasional jitters, game time for the returning players, minutes for squad members and into the next round. That will be decided tomorrow night but our next league game is at home to Forest on the 27th at 8 PM. Burnley return to the championship title race with a home encounter with Birmingham at exactly the same time.
Manchester Utd: Martin Dubravka; Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Luke Shaw 71), Victor Lindelof, Carlos Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia (Brandon Williams 85); Scott McTominay, Cristian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho (Antony 59); Anthony Martial (Anthony Elanga 71), Marcus Rashford (Fred 85)
Subs not used: David De Gea, Rhys Bennett, Donny van de Beek, Facundo Pellistri
Booked: Antony (80), Bruno Fernandes (88)
Sent off: None.
Burnley: Bailey Peacock-Farrell; Connor Roberts, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jordon Beyer; Ian Maatsen (Charlie Taylor 89), Josh Cullen, Jack Cork (CJ Egan-Riley 89), Josh Brownhill, Johann Berg Gudmundsson; Manuel Benson (Darko Churlinov 64), Ashley Barnes (Scott Twine 84)
Subs not used: Arijanet Muric, Luke McNally, Jay Rodriguez, Samuel Bastien, Marcel Lewis
Booked: Josh Cullen (47)
Sent off: None.
Referee: Graham Scott
Attendance: 62,062
extratime.com Player of the Match: Bruno Fernandes
