EPL: Improved Manchester United Defeat Burnley
A much improved performance from Manchester United ensured that they saw off Burnley 3-1 at Old Trafford with all four goals coming in the first half, leaving a quieter second period to half chances. Scot McTominay opened the scoring for the hosts with his first goal of the season, before Ben Mee deflected Jadon Sancho's shot into his own net. The lead was sealed by a Ronaldo tap in, but the deficit was cut by Aaron Lennon not long after. Having not been impressed with the outcome in their last match against Newcastle using his preferred 4-2-2-2 formation, Ralf Ragnick rang six changes to his team, switching to a 4-4-2. Three of those changes came at the back with Aaron Wan Bissaka, Eric Bailly and Luke Shaw all coming into the picture. Bruno Fernandes was out through suspension having received his 5th yellow card of the season against Newcastle. Sean Dyche was still battling with missing players, but was only able to make two changes from that draw with West Ham in their last game. Nick Pope was unavailable after contracting Covid-19 and was replaced by Wayne Hennessey. It was Cristiano Ronaldo who rang the first warning bell for United when he was played through on goal by Luke Shaw. The Portuguese ran down on goal sending his effort towards the top corner, but failed to uncharacteristically hit the target. Seconds later he would turn provider for the opener. Receiving the ball from Mason Greenwood, Ronaldo tried to drive onto his left foot, but the ball was stolen off his feet by Scot McTominay, who took a touch and fired low into the bottom corner. It felt like United would throw a warning strike first before scoring a goal as Luke Shaw this time made a marauding run from the middle into the Burnley box before releasing a shot that unfortunately found the side netting. This was succeeded by the second goal. The left back linked up well with Jadon Sancho on the left side before releasing his compatriot. Sancho drove onto his right foot and sent a shot towards the far corner that looked to be going off target, until Ben Mee tried to block it, but inadvertently turning it into his own net. What hardluck. It was looking easy for the hosts as they got their third goal in the 35th minute. McTominay had let one fly from range which was saved against the post by Hennessey. Sadly, it came back in front of goal were Ronaldo was lurking and all he needed was to tap into the net with the outside of his boot. Three minutes later, Burnley sounded the warning to show United that they were not impenetrable. Eric Billy's heavy touch allowed Aaron Lennon to pounce and he dribbled his way into the box before placing a low shot into the far bottom corner. Manchester United looked to raise the tempo after sloppily conceding that goal before half time. Greenwood would test Hennessey with his own effort that was parried by the goalkeeper out of play. Then, McTominay tried another of his shots from range, which was well saved by Henessey. The hosts then lost Eric Bailly to injury just after the hour mark and the Ivorian was replaced by Raphael Varane, but still continued in their shape. Henessey again was on hand to save Edison Cavani's half volley from a knock down by Ronaldo to keep the scoreline intact and ensure that his team didn't concede more than the three they already did in the first half. Concluding Thoughts To an extent, it was an improved performance from Manchester United, giving their unimpressive showing against Newcastle. Even though they got all three points, some of their fans still think a Burnley side that has struggled this season is not a good test of their mettle. Regardless, the result that matters was gotten and it takes them within four points off the last Champions League spot occupied by Arsenal with a game in hand over the Gunners. It must not be left unsaid that it was a brilliant performance on the night by Scott McTominay, one reminisce of the kind of quality you'd love to see at Old Trafford. He'd look back at the game and think he should have gotten at least two goals. This season has definitely not been it for Sean Dyche and his wards as they have struggled all through. They have taken just three points from their last five matches and sitting two points adrift of safety, although with a game in hand over the team above them, Watford. They may also be suffering from being out of action for a long time due to match postponements as their last game was about 18 days ago from last night. I think the struggle for them started since last season after they finished an impressive 10th during the 2019/2029 campaign. They barely escaped relegation last season, finishing 17th, even though they ended the season with 11 point above the drop zone. It looks like a race for survival for them again this time and with the teams right above them, it may be a mountain to climb with performances like this.
EPL: Improved Manchester United Defeat Burnley
A much improved performance from Manchester United ensured that they saw off Burnley 3-1 at Old Trafford with all four goals coming in the first half, leaving a quieter second period to half chances. Scot McTominay opened the scoring for the hosts with his first goal of the season, before Ben Mee deflected Jadon Sancho's shot into his own net. The lead was sealed by a Ronaldo tap in, but the deficit was cut by Aaron Lennon not long after. Having not been impressed with the outcome in their last match against Newcastle using his preferred 4-2-2-2 formation, Ralf Ragnick rang six changes to his team, switching to a 4-4-2. Three of those changes came at the back with Aaron Wan Bissaka, Eric Bailly and Luke Shaw all coming into the picture. Bruno Fernandes was out through suspension having received his 5th yellow card of the season against Newcastle. Sean Dyche was still battling with missing players, but was only able to make two changes from that draw with West Ham in their last game. Nick Pope was unavailable after contracting Covid-19 and was replaced by Wayne Hennessey. It was Cristiano Ronaldo who rang the first warning bell for United when he was played through on goal by Luke Shaw. The Portuguese ran down on goal sending his effort towards the top corner, but failed to uncharacteristically hit the target. Seconds later he would turn provider for the opener. Receiving the ball from Mason Greenwood, Ronaldo tried to drive onto his left foot, but the ball was stolen off his feet by Scot McTominay, who took a touch and fired low into the bottom corner. It felt like United would throw a warning strike first before scoring a goal as Luke Shaw this time made a marauding run from the middle into the Burnley box before releasing a shot that unfortunately found the side netting. This was succeeded by the second goal. The left back linked up well with Jadon Sancho on the left side before releasing his compatriot. Sancho drove onto his right foot and sent a shot towards the far corner that looked to be going off target, until Ben Mee tried to block it, but inadvertently turning it into his own net. What hardluck. It was looking easy for the hosts as they got their third goal in the 35th minute. McTominay had let one fly from range which was saved against the post by Hennessey. Sadly, it came back in front of goal were Ronaldo was lurking and all he needed was to tap into the net with the outside of his boot. Three minutes later, Burnley sounded the warning to show United that they were not impenetrable. Eric Billy's heavy touch allowed Aaron Lennon to pounce and he dribbled his way into the box before placing a low shot into the far bottom corner. Manchester United looked to raise the tempo after sloppily conceding that goal before half time. Greenwood would test Hennessey with his own effort that was parried by the goalkeeper out of play. Then, McTominay tried another of his shots from range, which was well saved by Henessey. The hosts then lost Eric Bailly to injury just after the hour mark and the Ivorian was replaced by Raphael Varane, but still continued in their shape. Henessey again was on hand to save Edison Cavani's half volley from a knock down by Ronaldo to keep the scoreline intact and ensure that his team didn't concede more than the three they already did in the first half. Concluding Thoughts To an extent, it was an improved performance from Manchester United, giving their unimpressive showing against Newcastle. Even though they got all three points, some of their fans still think a Burnley side that has struggled this season is not a good test of their mettle. Regardless, the result that matters was gotten and it takes them within four points off the last Champions League spot occupied by Arsenal with a game in hand over the Gunners. It must not be left unsaid that it was a brilliant performance on the night by Scott McTominay, one reminisce of the kind of quality you'd love to see at Old Trafford. He'd look back at the game and think he should have gotten at least two goals. This season has definitely not been it for Sean Dyche and his wards as they have struggled all through. They have taken just three points from their last five matches and sitting two points adrift of safety, although with a game in hand over the team above them, Watford. They may also be suffering from being out of action for a long time due to match postponements as their last game was about 18 days ago from last night. I think the struggle for them started since last season after they finished an impressive 10th during the 2019/2029 campaign. They barely escaped relegation last season, finishing 17th, even though they ended the season with 11 point above the drop zone. It looks like a race for survival for them again this time and with the teams right above them, it may be a mountain to climb with performances like this.
EPL: Improved Manchester United Defeat Burnley
A much improved performance from Manchester United ensured that they saw off Burnley 3-1 at Old Trafford with all four goals coming in the first half, leaving a quieter second period to half chances. Scot McTominay opened the scoring for the hosts with his first goal of the season, before Ben Mee deflected Jadon Sancho's shot into his own net. The lead was sealed by a Ronaldo tap in, but the deficit was cut by Aaron Lennon not long after. Having not been impressed with the outcome in their last match against Newcastle using his preferred 4-2-2-2 formation, Ralf Ragnick rang six changes to his team, switching to a 4-4-2. Three of those changes came at the back with Aaron Wan Bissaka, Eric Bailly and Luke Shaw all coming into the picture. Bruno Fernandes was out through suspension having received his 5th yellow card of the season against Newcastle. Sean Dyche was still battling with missing players, but was only able to make two changes from that draw with West Ham in their last game. Nick Pope was unavailable after contracting Covid-19 and was replaced by Wayne Hennessey. It was Cristiano Ronaldo who rang the first warning bell for United when he was played through on goal by Luke Shaw. The Portuguese ran down on goal sending his effort towards the top corner, but failed to uncharacteristically hit the target. Seconds later he would turn provider for the opener. Receiving the ball from Mason Greenwood, Ronaldo tried to drive onto his left foot, but the ball was stolen off his feet by Scot McTominay, who took a touch and fired low into the bottom corner. It felt like United would throw a warning strike first before scoring a goal as Luke Shaw this time made a marauding run from the middle into the Burnley box before releasing a shot that unfortunately found the side netting. This was succeeded by the second goal. The left back linked up well with Jadon Sancho on the left side before releasing his compatriot. Sancho drove onto his right foot and sent a shot towards the far corner that looked to be going off target, until Ben Mee tried to block it, but inadvertently turning it into his own net. What hardluck. It was looking easy for the hosts as they got their third goal in the 35th minute. McTominay had let one fly from range which was saved against the post by Hennessey. Sadly, it came back in front of goal were Ronaldo was lurking and all he needed was to tap into the net with the outside of his boot. Three minutes later, Burnley sounded the warning to show United that they were not impenetrable. Eric Billy's heavy touch allowed Aaron Lennon to pounce and he dribbled his way into the box before placing a low shot into the far bottom corner. Manchester United looked to raise the tempo after sloppily conceding that goal before half time. Greenwood would test Hennessey with his own effort that was parried by the goalkeeper out of play. Then, McTominay tried another of his shots from range, which was well saved by Henessey. The hosts then lost Eric Bailly to injury just after the hour mark and the Ivorian was replaced by Raphael Varane, but still continued in their shape. Henessey again was on hand to save Edison Cavani's half volley from a knock down by Ronaldo to keep the scoreline intact and ensure that his team didn't concede more than the three they already did in the first half. Concluding Thoughts To an extent, it was an improved performance from Manchester United, giving their unimpressive showing against Newcastle. Even though they got all three points, some of their fans still think a Burnley side that has struggled this season is not a good test of their mettle. Regardless, the result that matters was gotten and it takes them within four points off the last Champions League spot occupied by Arsenal with a game in hand over the Gunners. It must not be left unsaid that it was a brilliant performance on the night by Scott McTominay, one reminisce of the kind of quality you'd love to see at Old Trafford. He'd look back at the game and think he should have gotten at least two goals. This season has definitely not been it for Sean Dyche and his wards as they have struggled all through. They have taken just three points from their last five matches and sitting two points adrift of safety, although with a game in hand over the team above them, Watford. They may also be suffering from being out of action for a long time due to match postponements as their last game was about 18 days ago from last night. I think the struggle for them started since last season after they finished an impressive 10th during the 2019/2029 campaign. They barely escaped relegation last season, finishing 17th, even though they ended the season with 11 point above the drop zone. It looks like a race for survival for them again this time and with the teams right above them, it may be a mountain to climb with performances like this.