Report and highlights as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side sink to a new low in front of a disgruntled home crowd
Thursday 23 January 2020 06:35, UK
Burnley plunged more misery on Manchester United as they beat Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side 2-0 to claim their first win at Old Trafford for 58 years.
United could have moved to within three points of Chelsea in fourth with a win but Chris Wood (39) and a stunning effort from Jay Rodriguez (56) further dented their hopes of climbing the league.
For United, it was a similar story as they enjoyed over 70 per cent possession, a huge amount of territory but had absolutely no end-product with Nick Pope in the Burnley goal untested for large parts.
The home fans that remained at full-time, which wasn't many, voiced their frustration at the final whistle as Burnley moved seven points clear of the drop zone after taking maximum points from their last two games.
Old Trafford had been a place of comfort for Untied this season with only Crystal Palace leaving with maximum points and just 25 days after United won 2-0 at Turf Moor, there was a confidence about the hosts in the early stages.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka was providing good width but both Juan Mata and the lacklustre Anthony Martial couldn't profit from his service when fluffing their lines from close range.
Dan James rose highest to meet another ball from the right-back that drew action from Pope before Charlie Taylor produced an epic last-ditch tackle to thwart a dithering Martial.
Burnley rode that storm and did what they do best, punish the opposition from set-pieces.
The goal came on 39 minutes as United fell to pieces from under a direct free-kick into their area. Nemanja Matic lost out to Ben Mee and his flick was seized upon by Wood, who reacted quicker than Harry Maguire and smacked a quality first-time finish into the top corner.
Mason Greenwood was called from the bench at the break as Solskjaer looked for some spark.
The youngster did show some skilful touches but everything United tried was read perfectly by an expertly-drilled Burnley defensive unit.
With United fumbling around in the final third, Rodriguez showed how Solskjaer's team how it should be done with a quite sumptuous goal to make it 2-0.
Rodriguez played a one-two with Wood and smacked an unstoppable rising drive that was too hot for David de Gea as the ball rocketed in off the underside of the crossbar.
Mata sent a free-kick over after the crossbar after a stunning piece of skill from Greenwood drew a foul of Taylor before Martial tested Pope with a couple of tame efforts as the time ran out.
A comeback never even came close to materialising and the home fans knew it.
Manchester United have hit a new low.
After making two uncharacteristic errors against Leicester on Sunday where his team-mates bailed him out, the Burnley skipper had a point to prove from the first whistle. Martial was marked out of the game by the former Manchester City youngster, who was in his element defending his box like his life depended on it. He made a match-high nine clearances as United's unimaginative attack were repelled with ease while his influence in attack also came to the fore when he won the flick on for Wood's all-important opening goal.
Alan McInally, speaking on Soccer Special, said:
"They finished well against Liverpool but though there was a shuffle at the back with Victor Lindelof ill, Man Utd never really got going. Burnley were excellent - stubborn as anything - but this is miles away for Man Utd. The January window has never been as big for them.
"They're relying on young players with no outstanding leader in the team to help them. They're missing Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay, which is not helping. Harry Maguire is doing his best and Aaron Wan-Bissaka is different class but it's a huge job for Solskjaer. The Theatre of Dreams was empty at the end; it's never empty. The Bruno Fernandes signing is high priority now. The spark is just not there."
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said:
"We didn't play well enough - they scored their chances, we didn't take ours. It was disappointing. Lately we've played better in these types of games and dominated. Today we didn't get the first goal and that took a lot of belief out of us. Burnley do make it hard to play against them. The players are disappointed but they've gave everything once again - the effort is there.
"I'm in charge, so it's down to me to get these boys going. On the pitch we've got a few leaders there and there's young players experiencing these kind of expectations. It's a difficult period. It's a hard period for them."
Burnley boss Sean Dyche said:
"I'm just so pleased for the players because they have to stay resilient through those tough times and ups and downs. The last two games have been a brilliant reward for staying true to what we believe in.
"There is a lot of noise about Manchester United, but they'd only lost one here all season, so they are still a fine side.
"We came here with a thought that we could affect the game. We knew we would have to be resilient because they are always going to create chances."
United are back in action on Sunday in the FA Cup fourth round where they'll be facing one of Tranmere or Watford, who play their replay on Thursday evening. Meanwhile, Burnley take on Norwich at Turf Moor on Saturday with a place in the fifth round up for grabs.
