Manchester United vs Burnley LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight
Follow all the news and action from Old Trafford
After something of a glum Christmas, characterised by Covid outbreaks and that dismal showing at St James’ Park, Ralf Rangnick can at least celebrate the new year with three points and a good win. Three goals in the opening 35 minutes sent Manchester United on their way to the biggest and best win of Rangnick’s interim spell so far, as relegation-threatened Burnley were swatted aside at Old Trafford.
An early breakthrough by the excellent Scott McTominay was followed by a Ben Mee own goal and customary Cristiano Ronaldo strike before the interval. Aaron Lennon pulled one back in reply but it proved to be a mere consolation. Victory allowed United to avoid the ignominy of ending a calendar year outside the top six for the first time since 1989. Small steps, granted, but they ones that need to be made.
While United are unbeaten in eight since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure, Burnley are on a more unwelcome streak and will enter 2022 still waiting for their second league win of the season. They have games in hand after four recent postponements and this was a spirited showing for their first outing in nearly three weeks but you expect that Sean Dyche would rather have points on the board.Follow all the reaction following Manchester United vs Burnley below:
Man United 1-0 Burnley
25’ - A scramble in the away team’s box sees Cavani’s shot blocked, then Matic overhit a pass straight to the keeper. Bailly makes a block at the other end to stop the counter, before McNeil blazes a corner well out of play.
Fair to say after a good start, the visitors have run out of steam and ideas a little bit - but there’s still a route into the final third for them, particularly down the wings.
Man United 1-0 Burnley
22’ - Burnley push again with a couple of crosses and set pieces, but other than a missed punch from David de Gea, not too much for the home side to worry about this time. Harry Maguire rescues his ‘keeper with a clearance.
At the other end Sancho and Cavani help to open space for Greenwood, but Mee makes a block to keep it 1-0.
Man United 1-0 Burnley
18’ - The game a little more settled now, United with more sustained possession and trying to get runners beyond the Burnley defence. Getting the ball there still a bit of an issue though, something they struggled with against Newcastle last time out.
Shaw with a powerful drive now to take the ball from his own half to the edge of the box - and a fierce drive which flies just wide.
Man United 1-0 Burnley
14’ - Almost a good response as Gudmundsson sees a shot blocked by Wan-Bissaka. Burnley have basically been on the attack all game so far, other than two rather notable incidents where Ronaldo should have scored and McTominay did so.
It’s 325 minutes of action since the Clarets last found the back of the net, however.
Wan-Bissaka and Gudmundsson now clash in mid-air and the Burnley man needs a bit of attention.
Man United 1-0 Burnley
8’ - GOAL!
The ball breaks the way of Scott McTominay and he simply swipes it home into the bottom corner from the edge of the box! A very fast start here at Old Trafford and Hennessey is beaten by the Scot.
Rangnick celebrates on the touchline, as indeed do the fans inside the ground. United’s earliest home goal of the league campaign by a distance.
Man United 0-0 Burnley
6’ - What a chance - and Ronaldo has missed it. Shaw lofts a ball over the defence and the No7 is in, but after setting himself he sends his free effort well over the bar. Unusual for him, but an escape for the Clarets.
Man United 0-0 Burnley
4’ - Two early deliveries give Burnley a first opening. McNeil’s first touch isn’t good enough and his shot is blocked, but then Lowton sends a great cross over to Chris Wood who is unmarked - but he heads wastefully over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box.
Moments later Lennon frees Wood again and his curled shot is just wide of goal, but the flag is up.
A few early groans from the home support, there.
Man United 0-0 Burnley
0’ - Kick-off at Old Trafford!
Ralf Rangnick will hope for much more tonight from his team; Sean Dyche probably doesn’t know what to expect after a poor season so far and no football at all recently.
Burnley confirm Covid absences for Man United clash
Four absences through Covid tonight for the visitors. Other than goalkeeper Nick Pope, Maxwel Cornet might be the biggest loss, as he hasn’t recovered from his injury in time for the game. They were originally hoping to get him back to face Everton, which was ultimately called off.
Man United vs Burnley news
This is a third straight fixture for Man United against the teams in the bottom three of the Premier League.
Again, Covid cancellations have played a part there as the clashes with Brentford and Brighton were postponed, but they have not exactly excelled in the other two fixtures.
Norwich were only beaten courtesy of a fairly late penalty by Cristiano Ronaldo, while against Newcastle it was Edinson Cavani who came to the rescue with an equaliser - and David de Gea doing so at the other end with a couple of important saves. United were certainly lucky to take a point from that match.
Will they improve against Burnley and take both points and plaudits for a performance?
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