3 reasons why Manchester United beat Burnley

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An eventful game in which Manchester United dominated for 60 minutes before missing a penalty and having a player sent off finished with a much-needed 2-0 victory for the Red Devils.

Manchester United came racing out of the blocks at Turf Moor in an effort to avoid three consecutive defeats and relieve the pressure on Jose Mourinho, who prior to this game had been installed as the favourite in the Premier League sack race.

Alexis Sanchez was recalled to the starting lineup along with Marouane Fellaini being handed a surprise start. United lined up in a 4-3-3 formation which actually seemed more like a 4-1-1-1-3 in practice on the field.

Burnley, on the other hand, stuck with a compact 4-4-1-1 formation in an effort to quell the United attack and hit the Red Devils’ shaky defense on the counter-attack.

It took Jose Mourinho’s side 27 minutes to break the deadlock when a pinpoint cross from Sanchez found the head of Lukaku who made no mistake from six yards out. Just before the break, Lukaku added a second with a lovely strike past former Man City goalkeeper, Joe Hart.

The second half was filled with controversy as Pogba missed a penalty and just minutes later, a tussle between Rashford and ex-United defender Phil Bardsley led to a straight red card for the Red Devils forward. The 20-year-old had spent 10 minutes on the pitch, winning a penalty and receiving a red card in that time.

Here are three reasons why Manchester United won against Burnley:

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#3 Fluidity between the front three

The front three of Alexis Sanchez, Jessie Lingard, and Romalu Lukaku were absolutely superb for the first hour of the match.

Right from kick-off, the trio displayed wonderful movement and fluidity to confuse and break down the Burnley defence time and again. They had created several chances before Sanchez and Lukaku linked up for the opener just before the half-hour mark.

Throughout the game, the three players were constantly switching positions. Initially lining up with Lukaku in the middle, Lingard on the right, and Alexis on the left, the constant interchanging left the usually stout Burnley defence extremely vulnerable.

Lukakau was exceptional, often found drifting out to either of the wide positions and dragging either Tarkowski or Mee with him to leave gaping holes for Sanchez, Lingard, and Pogba to run in to.

This type of fluidity is usually associated with the Manchester City or Liverpool front three and has been missing from a lacklustre United attack for some time now.

Should the movement and creativity displayed in this game continue after the international break, there are few defences in the Premier League that could cope with such swift interchanging and skill.

#2 Flying fullbacks providing width to the attack

The fullbacks for Manchester United often get forward to assist the attack but in this match against Burnley both Antonio Valencia and, particularly, Luke Shaw were outstanding.

Both fullbacks darted forward to join the United attack on several occasions throughout the match, leaving the Burnley defence facing two-on-one situations on the flanks numerous times.

While Valencia has become somewhat of an expert at offering assistance on the right wing in the attack, it was Luke Shaw’s performance which really caught the eye at Turf Moor. The England international was everywhere on the left touchline – racing forward to help out Alexis Sanchez and tracking back whenever Burnely counterattacked.

The renaissance of Shaw this season will delight Manchester United fans and Jose Mourinho. The 23-year-old has endured a torrid time at Old Trafford over the past two seasons and if he can rediscover the potential shown when United signed him from Southampton, he could play a vital role in the Red Devils’ season.

It says a lot about Shaw’s performance on Sunday evening that he was the first player Mourinho went to after the fulltime whistle. Having spent the best part of 18 months publically criticising the left-back, Mourinho now looks to be playing a fatherly role in the player’s life.

The reason that Shaw and Valencia could spend so much time in the final third helping out United’s attack was down to one man who was the unsung hero of this game with a performance that deserved the man of the match award. We look at him next.

#1 Marouane Fellaini’s exceptional performance

Fellaini has been the butt of jokes for Premier League fans since his move to Old Trafford. Often laughed at as a battering ram “Plan B” option for the Red Devils, few people ever mention his extraordinary influence on games when he plays.

Many would have been surprised by his inclusion in the starting lineup against Burnley, but his role in this game was a tactical masterstroke by Mourinho and displayed that the Belgian is so much more than a lanky last-ditch option.

Fellaini played the match just in front of the defensive line, offering an assurance for a backline which has conceded seven goals already this season. His presence also allowed the fullbacks to dart forward as he dropped further back to create a three-man defence whenever Valencia and Shaw entered the final third.

The Belgian was everywhere during the match. He made countless clearances, played some wonderful balls up to the front three, and allow both Matic and Pogba to move further forward without worrying about defensive duties.

His towering presence is well-known, but Fellaini also displayed some exquisite ball skills with his feet throughout the match and while Lukaku grabbed a brace, it is United’s other Belgian who deserves the man of the match award.

Fellaini’s performance should give Mourinho food for thought going forward. Perhaps it is time the midfielder was regularly selected in the starting lineup rather than as an impact substitute. United’s defence certainly looked more assured with Fellaini’s presence just in front of them.

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