The smile onOle Gunnar Solskjaer‘s face told the story. His team had finally kept a clean sheet to fashion a victory that catapulted them up to fifth in the Premier League table.After beatingBurnley,Manchester UnitedNow sit just one point behind Chelsea in fourth spot and they have some momentum at last in a stuttering season.
Anthony Martial scored the crucial goal and Marcus Rashford netted in stoppage time, but Solskjaer will be even more pleased with a brilliant save from keeper David De Gea that delivered a first-shut-out for his team in an amazing 67 league matches.
“It’s a big difference to get a clean sheet, ”said the United boss.
“Tonight was a big step forward. It is important for us to know we can grind out results as well. If we get clean sheets we have a better chance to move up the table.
“We want to keep the momentum going. That’s two wins now and a good response after the disappointing game against Watford.
“The players are learning. We controlled and dominated the game in the first half. Then there was some great defending when they were throwing the ball into or box. And it was a great save from David when he had so little to do in the game. “
Burnley 0-2 Man Utd LIVE: Martial and Rashford move Red Devils one point behind Chelsea(Image: GETTY)
Man Utd lay down top-four marker as Red Devils put problems in the past with Burnley win(Image: GETTY)
This game was a significant test of United’s aspirations.
It was exactly the type of match an ambitious team must win to sustain a credible challenge for a top four place among a crowded field of inconsistent contenders.
Solskjaer had sa id in the build-up that United would “comfortably” finish in the top four – a bold claim from where his team stand halfway through the season.
The top four, and entry to the Champions League, is a possibility, but no more than that – certainly when so few points separate so many clubs from Chelsea and Tottenham to Wolves and Sheffield United, never mind the hopes of resurgence at Everton and Arsenal under new managers.
United have been at their best thus far playing on the counter-attack. When they have dominated possession they have struggled to break down well-organized defences.
Man Utd lay down top-four marker as Red Devils put problems in the past with Burnley win(Image: GETTY)
On Saturday night Solksjaer’s side had 728 per cent of the ball, and yet this time were far more creative and threatening.
Rashford stung the fingers of Burnley keeper Nick Pope with a dipping long-range free-kick, and the England striker then struck the post in the 70 th minute after a sweeping move from United’s own penalty box.
They should have scored just after the half hour, following a period of crisp passing. The eventual stabbed shot from six yards range by Martial was blocked on the line by Phil Bardsley.
A goal seemed inevitable, and it arrived just before half-time. It was gift-wrapped by their opponents.
Burnley left-back Charlie Taylor was slow and foolish in possession on the touchline just in front of his manager Sean Dyche, left fuming in the dug-out.
He was robbed by Andreas Pereira and the home defense was suddenly hopelessly exposed. One pass put Martial clear in front of goal and the rejuvenated French striker scored with a cool finish.
Dyche’s team have been resilient and relentlessly hard to beat in maintaining Premier League status for several years. But their lack of guile on the ball limits them as a side.
The best chances invariably come from set-pieces and United were well prepared for that here as the home crowd were stilled to periods of silence.
They relish watching top flight matches at Turf Moor, but will they eventually tire of efficient but relatively dull football as Stoke fans did a few years ago?
It was mostly a stroll for United, who gave another game to teenage full-back Brandon Williams. He was alert in defense and a constant menace raiding forward on the left flank; the kid looks a real prospect.
He linked up well with Rashford, while Fred was the maestro of midfield for United, the controlling presence of the match.
Man Utd lay down top-four marker as Red Devils put problems in the past with Burnley win(Image: GETTY)
Burnley did improve after the break , but they still struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Dwight McNeill shot tamely wide from the edge of the box before they finally had their first shot on target in the th minute – a low drive through a crowd of players from Bardsley that forced an excellent diving save from De Gea.
Such moments can be priceless.
For all the huff and puff from Burnley, that was as close as they came, and Rashford finished off a counter-attack to score with the last kick of the game to make it 2-0 for United.
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