BURNLEY 0, MAN UNITED 2
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer need not have worried about which Manchester United turned up at Burnley.
There was no repeat of the horror show at Watford on their last away day as the wildly-erratic Reds displayed the grit, determination and steel that was lacking at Vicarage Road.
This time United triumphed at Turf Moor, renowned as a fortress, as goals from Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford earned three points which lifted them to fifth and only one point adrift of Chelsea, occupants of the last Champions League place.
It was a dominant display from United as they created the clearest chances and were rarely threatened defensively as David De Gea only had one save of distinction to make.
It was reassuring for Solskjaer that United were able to dig in when needed and keep a first clean sheet in 15 Premier League matches.
“Tonight was a big step forward,” explained Solskjaer whose side has lost only once in eight games.
“We have lost only once each month which is not bad for a team that is young and learning. We will have to try and make it once every two months.”
Solskjaer added: “It was a very good performance. I was happy with the attitude and approach to the game coming here.
“We knew we had to be at the top of our game, both on and off the ball.
“The way we handled Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood and kept a clean sheet – David De Gea only had one save to make – and that is testimony to the way we played.”
Solskjaer freshened his line up by making four changes from the side that started against Newcastle United on Boxing Day.
There was a new full-back pairing of Ashley Young and Brandon Williams, Nemanja Matic was restored to midfield and Daniel James on the wing.
The players to miss out were Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, Mason Greenwood, all on the bench, and the injured Scott McTominay.
But the absence of Paul Pogba, who has only just returned after a lengthy injury lay-off, from the matchday 18 prompted further speculation about his fitness after he played 45 minutes on Boxing Day.
Solskjaer added Pogba needed another day to recover and had suffered a “reaction” to playing on Boxing Day.
After a largely uneventful opening, United had the first clear-cut chance, a swerving free kick from Marcus Rashford that goalkeeper Nick Pope had to beat away.
Rashford had another opening when he fired narrowly wide after a decent build up involving Anthony Martial and Andreas Pereira.
United remained the more potent attacking force and next to go close was Martial whose shot beat Pope but was cleared off the line by Phil Bardsley.
They were finally rewarded with a 43rd minute opening goal from Martial, his 10th of the season.
It owed much to the grit and steely determination of Pereira to dispossess left back Charlie Taylor before delivering a perfect cross for Martial to slot home from 10 yards.
As half-time, United could feel well satisfied with their efforts in the opening period as they nullified any threat from the Clarets and had by far the best of the goal attempts.
Martial had a second goal ruled out shortly after the restart as he clearly shoved James Tarkowski off the ball before finding the net and went close again with a shot which was kept out by the legs of Pope.
De Gea wasn’t called into action until the 69th minute for his first serious save, a terrific stop to turn away a goalbound drive from Bardsley.
Jesse Lingard replaced the excellent Pereira with 17 minutes left, United’s first substitution.
The second switch with two minutes left saw Martial make way for Shaw who played on the left of midfield.
United sealed victory in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time with a lethal counter attack.
Daniel James released Rashford who rounded Pope and rolled the ball into the empty goal, his 16th of the season with barely time to restart.