Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney helped Manchester United claim a 2-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor in the Premier League on Sunday, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.
Jose Mourinho made eight changes to the side that beat Anderlecht in extra time on Thursday. Wayne Rooney returned to the starting line-up, making his first Premier League start since 4 March. He replaced Marcus Rashford, who dropped to the bench. Meanwhile, Burnley made only one change, with Andre Gray replacing Sam Vokes on attack.
Burnley got off to a good start, pressing United high up the pitch, and didn’t allow them to get into their passing game.
United had a chance to take the lead in the seventh minute when Wayne Rooney fired a low shot from close range, but the captain’s shot took a deflection off Ben Mee, which allowed Tom Heaton to get down and make a good save.
The Red Devils then opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Anthony Martial picked up the ball at the edge of his own area, sprinting past the helpless Joey Barton. The Frenchman then played a one-two with Ander Herrera, before slotting the ball underneath Heaton from the penalty spot.
The Clarets struggled to trouble United goalkeeper David de Gea going forward, despite enjoying a good spell of possession, while United were comfortably dealing with everything the hosts threw at them.
Rooney then doubled United’s lead in the 39th minute after the skipper latched on to Heaton’s parried effort, before slotting the ball into the back of the net, despite an attempted clearance by Michael Keane on the goal line.
Burnley almost pulled a goal back two minutes before half-time as Andre Gray turned his marker and fired a shot at goal, which looked to be heading on target, but Eric Bailly did well to block his effort.
Paul Pogba had a great chance to extend his side’s lead in the 53rd minute when he unleashed a powerful strike at goal from around 25 yards out, but it fell too close to Heaton, who made a good diving save to deny the midfielder.
The Clarets had another chance to pull a goal back after 73 minutes as Ashley Barnes laid the ball off to Gray, who did well to turn his marker, but Bailly did excellently to block his next move for United to steer the ball away from danger.
Substitute Marcus Rashford nearly added a third for United in the 83rd minute after he was played through on goal with just Heaton to beat, however the young forward fired his effort narrowly wide of the goal from a tight angle.
In the dying minutes of the match, Pogba went inches wide of the target with his effort from the edge of the box. His powerful effort looked to be heading into the back of the net, but it curled away from goal at the final moment.
Mourinho’s side are now within one point of Manchester City, in fourth place.
Photo: Premier League website
