Last updated on January 31st, 2022 at 10:18 am
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Manchester United climbed to sixth place in the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Burnley at Old Trafford on Thursday (December 30), keeping their unbeaten record under interim manager Ralf Rangnick intact. United moved above Spurs into the sixth position with the win, level on 31 points with fifth-placed West Ham United. With 11 points, Burnley is still in 18th place.
Rangnick made six changes to his squad after Monday’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle, with Edinson Cavani starting in attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Burnley, who had their last three games postponed due to COVID-19 cases among their opponents, were hit by four positives of their own, including goalkeeper Nick Pope and important striker Maxwell Cornet.
The game’s open atmosphere was evident from the start, with Chris Wood losing an early chance for the visitors by headed wide, and then Ronaldo wasting a great opportunity by blasting over the bar when clear on goal. Mason Greenwood’s cross to Ronaldo is controlled, but Scott McTominay rushed on the loose ball and fired a low drive through the congested area and into the bottom corner to give United the lead.
As United surged in confidence, Luke Shaw sprinted through the middle of the Burnley defense but sent his attempt into the side netting. The second came quickly after a mix-up in the Burnley defensive allowed Jadon Sancho to cut in from the left and score.
Burnley captain Ben Mee’s outstretched foot deflected the low shot, which beat Wayne Hennessey.
United, who were playing in an offensive 4-4-2 system, were allowing Burnley to escape into space and appeared vulnerable at the back, but their positive attitude paid off when they scored the third goal in the 35th minute.
Hennessey pushed a ferocious McTominay effort against the post, but the ball fell to Ronaldo, who guided it into an open goal. Burnley kept themselves in the game with a magnificent solo effort from Aaron Lennon, the former Tottenham winger taking advantage of a weak touch from Eric Bailly, dribbling into the United box and beating David De Gea.
After the half, Hennessey did well to keep out efforts from Greenwood and Cavani, while Burnley’s opportunities were limited to James Tarkowski’s set-piece headers. Rangnick was particularly delighted with the aggressive effort in the first half.
“The entire team’s performance was much improved, and I was particularly delighted with our wingers’ efforts.” Mason and Jadon performed admirably. “The work effort put in by Edi (Cavani) and Cristiano was incredible,” he remarked.
United trail fourth-placed Arsenal by four points, with a game in hand, as they try to break into the top four and qualify for next season’s Champions League. “I wouldn’t consider fourth to be the bare minimum. It’s all about taking the next steps in your development. Now it’s been eight games without a win.
Now it’s been eight games without a loss. “It’s about taking the following steps,” the German explained.
Sean Dyche, the manager of Burnley, felt his squad had paid the price for some sloppy defense. “What frustrates me is that we could have made two blocks on the box’s edge and didn’t,” he explained.
“I was happy with the overall performance; we are a little stretched due to COVID and injuries.” There were some excellent performances, but the details are causing us to lose our minds.”
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