Manchester United 3-1 Burnley: Ronaldo among scorers as United beat Clarets

Ralf
Rangnick’s
side
were
looking
to
bounce
back
from
a
disappointing
performance
in
the
1-1
draw
at
Newcastle
United
last
time
out,
and
first-half
goals
from
Scott
McTominay
and
Cristiano
Ronaldo
either
side
of
a
Ben
Mee
own
goal
ensured
that
they
did
just
that,
despite
Aaron
Lennon
reducing
the
deficit
before
half-time.

It
was
Burnley’s
first
game
since
December
12,
having
seen
their
last
two
fixtures
against
Watford
and
Everton
postponed
due
to
COVID-19,
and
the
visitors
lack
sharpness
at
times
at
Old
Trafford,
particularly
at
the
back.

1

2210468

The
Red
Devils
move
up
to
sixth
in
the
Premier
League
table,
while
Sean
Dyche’s
men
remain
18th.

RESULTS
|

FIXTURES

Both
teams
had
early
chances
as
Chris
Wood
headed
wide
for
the
visitors
before
Ronaldo
surprisingly
fired
over
after
being
put
through
on
goal.

United
were
ahead
shortly
after
as
McTominay
placed
a
shot
past
Wayne
Hennessey
from
the
edge
of
the
box
as
Ronaldo
looked
to
set
himself
up
for
a
left-footed
effort.

The
lead
was
doubled
on
27
minutes
when
Luke
Shaw
linked
up
with
Jadon
Sancho,
before
the
former
Borussia
Dortmund
man
cut
inside
to
shoot,
with
his
effort
being
deflected
just
inside
the
far
post
off
the
boot
of
Mee.

It
was
three
just
eight
minutes
later
after
a
McTominay
strike
was
tipped
onto
the
post
by
Hennessey,
only
for
the
ball
to
fall
kindly
for
Ronaldo
for
a
simple
tap-in,
but
the
Clarets
pulled
one
back
shortly
after
as
Lennon
went
on
a
mazy
run
before
placing
the
ball
low
into
the
far
bottom
corner.

A
less
eventful
second
half
saw
Eric
Bailly
hobble
off
with
an
injury,
while
Hennessey
made
a
fantastic
save
with
his
face
from
Edinson
Cavani
after
a
Ronaldo
knockdown
to
prevent
further
damage
to
the
scoresheet,
but
United
saw
out
a
confidence-boosting
victory.

What
does
it
mean?
United
finally
express
themselves
under
Rangnick

While
it
was
always
too
early
to
judge
the
Rangnick
era
at
Old
Trafford,
questions
were
being
asked
as
to
why
United
looked
so
uninspired
in
attack
at
Newcastle
considering
the
wealth
of
ability
in
their
ranks.

Ronaldo
had
no
reason
to
storm
off
in
a
huff
here,
though,
as
the
Red
Devils
created
plenty
against
an
uncharacteristically
disorganised
Burnley,
having
12
shots
in
the
first
half.

Bruno
Fernandes
was
missing
through
suspension
this
time
and,
after
a
more
promising
showing
from
the
team,
there
are
no
guarantees
that
he
will
walk
back
into
the
side
for
the
next
encounter.

Shaw,
he
(sometimes)
won’t
let
you
down

When
the
England
left-back
is
at
the
top
of
his
game,
he
can
influence
things
as
much
as
anyone,
and
that
was
the
case
here
as
he
caused
Burnley
all
sorts
of
problems
down
his
side.

He
made
three
key
passes,
more
than
anyone
else,
including
a
terrific
throughball
for
Ronaldo
early
on
and
playing
in
Sancho
in
the
build-up
to
the
second
goal,
while
also
boasting
the
highest
passing
accuracy
in
the
opposition
half
(90
per
cent),
and
put
in
the
most
crosses
(11).

If
this
was
a
response
to
the
threat
to
his
place
from
Alex
Telles
since
Rangnick
arrived,
then
it
appears
to
be
a
tactic
that
has
worked
for
the
German
coach.

Burnley
need
wins
quickly

It
won’t
quite
be
panic
stations
yet
for
Dyche.
His
team
is
in
the
relegation
zone
but
have
games
in
hand
after
several
recent
postponements,
although
they
must
convert
that
ostensible
advantage
into
points.

After
16
games,
the
Clarets
have
won
just
once
in
the
league
this
season
(D8
L7),
and
despite
those
games
in
hand,
will
be
concerned
to
see
only
two
teams
above
them
who
they
could
catch
if
they
won
those
games.

They
are
now
without
a
win
in
their
last
10
Premier
League
away
games
(D4
L6),
since
winning
2-0
at
Fulham
in
May.
They
last
had
a
longer
run
without
a
win
on
the
road
between
August
2016
and
April
2017
(17
games).

What’s
next?

Manchester
United
are
at
home
to
Wolves
on
Monday,
while
Burnley
travel
to
Leeds
United
on
Sunday.