Manchester United vs Burnley LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight
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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:
Manchester United vs Burnley final score, result and match report
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.
Mark Critchley has the report on the whistle from the ground:
McTominay provides the spark as Man United ease past Burnley
Manchester United 3-1 Burnley: McTominay, Ronaldo and a Mee own goal put the game out of reach before Lennon’s reply
Full time result: Manchester United 3-1 Burnley
Full time at Old Trafford.
A late sub appearance for Fred who replaces Ronaldo, but it’s pretty much all over already. De Gea has to make one final save as Tarkowski beats Maguire yet again in the air and the United captain is lucky not to concede a penalty, his hands are all over the Burnley man’s shirt.
But it’s three points for United and they are up to sixth, while Burnley are still waiting for a first victory in the Premier League since late October.
Man United 3-1 Burnley
90’ - What a chance for Vydra. Westwood whips a cross in toward him with Maguire playing the forward onside - but he can’t control with his first touch after going with the wrong foot. Poor from the sub. Then it’s poor from Wan-Bissaka too, as an attempted pass to De Gea goes straight out for a corner - but the header from Tarkowski drops just wide. Pieters then has an air-kick at the ball with the goal gaping - not Burnley’s night.
Three minutes added on at Old Trafford.
Man United 3-1 Burnley
86’ - McNeil off, Pieters on for the Clarets. Not a sub which screams “going for it” for Dyche’s team.
United have threatened a few more times down the left wing over the last few minutes, Sancho and Ronaldo both looking to get balls across, but Burnley repel the danger and do the same from an ensuing corner.
Man United 3-1 Burnley
82’ - Greenwood made way for Dalot so it’s a case of locking up what they’ve got for Rangnick. One sub each remaining for the final few minutes.
Burnley closing in on nine away games without a win this season - only seven scored in those games, too.
As for United, it’s a win which will send them above Spurs in the table, assuming no late shocks here.
Man United 3-1 Burnley
78’ - McTominay pretty clearly buys a free-kick with what looks like no contact at all. Ronaldo sets the ball, steps back, does the pose and spanks it into the wall - classic and often repeated.
Tarkowski needs a few moments of recovery time after heading the shot clear.
On comes Dalot for United’s second change of the night.
Man United 3-1 Burnley
72’ - Excellent save from Hennessey! Offside flag goes up so it wouldn’t have mattered, but he stood up really well to block Cavani’s half-volley after a Ronaldo knock-down. At the other end Maguire gets in trouble again as Lennon beats him to a bouncing ball, but United clear eventually.
Another Burnley sub sees Vydra on for Lennon. Varane is on for Bailly for United.
Man United 3-1 Burnley
66’ - Lennon beats his man again but opts for an overhit pass to McNeil instead of a square ball to Wood in space. The result is a corner, which Mee nods over the bar.
A far more low-key, error strewn affair since the break for both teams. Nowhere near as many counter-attacking chances though, and certainly not the penalty box threat from United.
Man United 3-1 Burnley
61’ - Stephens on for Cork as Burnley look to freshen things up. Rangnick is up on the touchline getting irritated at his players having an awful lot of aimless, sideways possession in this half. Not much need for them to chase the game of course, but he’s trying to put a more regular mindset into his players.
Bailly defends well against a Lennon surge to keep the pacy attacker at bay.
Man United 3-1 Burnley
54’ - Some sloppy play from both teams as they look to force the ball into the final third. Wood tussles with Wan-Bissaka in the box and wins a knock-down header, but the striker has wandered offside before the cross came in. The away team haven’t really managed to get McNeil in the game too much. Dale Stephens is ready to come on.
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