MAN UNITED 3, BURNLEY 1
Manchester United produced their best display under new interim manager Ralph Rangnick as they beat Burnley to move into the Premier League’s top six.
The performance was as different as night and day to the awful showing three days at Newcastle United, another bottom three side.
After being criticised heavily for their showing at St James’ Park, the Reds had a positive response as they blew away the Clarets in the opening half.
Goals from the excellent Scott McTominay and Cristiano Ronaldo, and an own goal from Ben Mee, gave United a 3-1 interval lead.
As one fan tweeted at the break: ‘That was more like it: hunger, fight and teamwork.’
That was a short and concise summary of the opening half as United looked a team, rather than a bunch of squabbling superstars in the North East.
And it must have been a perfect gift for the watching Sir Alex Ferguson who tomorrow celebrates his 80th birthday.
The win lifted the Reds to sixth but level on points with West Ham who are fifth. But it is a far cry to last season when they entered 2021 in top spot, underlining how far they have fallen.
Rangnick, who has fielded a 4-2-2-2 formation, modified it to what was effectively a more adventurous 4-2-4 when attacking and 4-4-2 defending with Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood on the wings with Edinson Cavani and Ronaldo down the middle.
Embed from Getty ImagesRangnick said: “Offensively it was our best performances so far, but there is still room for improvement.
“I made the changes as it was about fresh legs, fresh energy and more physicality. It was important to have six fresh players on the pitch, and it paid off with the right players in the right positions.”
Rangnick was delighted with McTominay’s performance, admitting he was a doubt after injuring his ankle and a decision was only made at 2pm for him to play.
“Scott has an energy on the pitch which in contagious in a good way. It was a very good performance from him today,” he explained.
Rangnick added he wanted a more positive reaction having fallen behind after only seven minutes at Newcastle where the body language of players was criticised.
He said: “It is about how we react and show we are a team we believe it.
“It was clear to tell them we behave and work as a team and not show side effects.”
Man of the match McTominay said: “Probably first-half as a team [best display under Rangnick]. We were a bit flat second-half for whatever reason.
“We need to do more and hopefully in 2022 we can do that. It is about adapting to new methods. We have to go back to the basics of football. We have to tackle, we have to run, we have to create.
“If we are not running and competing in the first 15 minutes it is going to be difficult, no matter what the quality of our forward players.
“An old cliche in football. We are going through a transitional period. We can’t look too far ahead in terms of ambitions and goals.
“We want to enjoy football, there is too much negativity, and if you enjoy it you will end up playing well.”
Burnley showed plenty of spirit, but they remain cast adrift of safety by two points in the bottom three.
Manager Sean Dyche said: “I was pleased with our mentality and the way we took the game on. The only argument was the goals we conceded.
“We had chances, looked a threat and played well. A lot of the performance was right but not taking chances has been the story of our season.
“We must keep focused and it is about the finer details and we are not finding it at both ends of the pitch.”
Rangnick made six changes following the 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Monday, with three of those at the back.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw and Eric Bailly all came into the defence with Diogo Dalot, Alex Telles and Raphael Varane dropping out.
Meanwhile, Nemanja Matic replaced Fred in midfield and forwards Jadon Sancho and Edinson Cavani came in for Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes who was suspended.
Burnley, who have not played since December 12, made two changes to the side that drew with West Ham with Wayne Hennessey replacing Nick Pope in goal for a first appearance since June 2020 and Aaron Lennon coming in for Jay Rodriguez.
Pope, Rodriguez, Josh Brownhill and Kevin Long were ruled out through Covid while Maxwell Cornet, Ashley Barnes and Connor Roberts were injured as the Clarets named only seven substitutes from a possible nine on the bench.
Depleted Burnley made a spirited start as Dwight McNeil had a shot blocked. The ball rebounded to Matt Lowton who crossed for Chris Wood who failed to hit the target with a diving header from six yards.
United ought to have taken the lead when Shaw sent Ronaldo clear, but he inexplicably fired over from eight yards.
But United’s early nerves were soothed when McTominay broke the deadlock in the eighth minute and what a time to come up with his first goal of the season and the Reds’ quickest one of their league campaign.
Greenwood cut the ball back from the right and Ronaldo provided the deftest touch on to McTominay who side-footed home a shot from the edge of the low to the left of Hennessey.
Shaw made a dazzling burst from his own half before firing into the side netting from the edge of the box.
There was better to come as United doubled their advantage in the 27th minute.
Shaw released Sancho on the left and he cut in before firing low to the left of Hennessey. The shot deflected off Ben Mee who was debited with an own goal, but Sancho will no doubt claim his third goal since joining the Reds in the summer from Borussia Dortmund.
Ronaldo, who had never previously scored against Burnley, broke his duck making it 3-0 as he has now scored league goals against 82 different teams in Portugal, England, Spain and Italy.
Sancho started the move on the right setting up McTominay who super striker was brilliantly turned on to the upright by Hennessey. However, Ronaldo was following up for an easy tap-in from six yards, his 14th goal of the season for the Reds from 20 appearances.
It was the first time United had scored three first-half goals in a league game since January when they beat Southampton 9-0 at Old Trafford.
Burnley failed to surrender and got on to the scoresheet in the 38th minute. Lennon burst forward unchecked from midfield before firing low past David De Gea from 14 yards for his first goal since September 2018 and his first-ever strike against United in 23 appearances.
United remained on the front foot from the restart as Greenwood forced a fine flying save from Hennessey.
McTominay had certainly found his shooting boots and he was denied again by Hennessey who did well to turn over his screamer from 25 yards.
They were the highlights of the second period which lacked the sparkle of the first but, 3-1 ahead, there was little chance Burnley would overturn the deficit.
United made their first change mid-half when Bailly picked up a knock and was replaced by Varane and then with 10 minutes left Greenwood made way for Dalot while in stoppage time Fred came on for Ronaldo.