Manchester United 0 Burnley 2
Manchester United were unable to make up ground in the race for a Champions League spot as Burnley shocked Old Trafford with a 2-0 away win.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men remain six points behind fourth-placed Chelsea after a disappointing evening. A goal in the first half by Chris Wood and another in the second by Jay Rodriguez condemned us to our first home defeat in the Premier League since August.
United hadn’t beaten Burnley in the Premier League in the last three seasons at Old Trafford, having to share the points on every occasion, and the Clarets began displaying that stubborn and dangerous mix once again in the first half.
The Reds needed something special to find the openings and a trio of Aaron Wan-Bissaka crosses almost provided it.
Our right-back was the stand-out provider in the first half-hour but Anthony Martial, Juan Mata and Dan James were unfortunately all unable to finish off his good work.
Nemanja Matic, who was an impressive anchor man, also managed to get forward to set up Martial in the 33rd minute. But as the Frenchman prepared to strike, Burnley defender Charlie Taylor stole in to rescue the situation for his side with a perfectly timed challenge in the penalty area.
Clarets hitman Chris Wood had posted one warning of his predatory powers in the 24th minute when he steered a stooping header just wide.
The Reds got away with that one but that wasn’t the case with his next effort in the 38th minute. A free-kick was lumped into the area and Ben Mee nodded it on for Wood to lash home without any United player able to stop the set piece working clinically.
The manager brought on Mason Greenwood at half-time, as a replacement for Andreas Pereira, in the hope of providing some goalscoring magic to get the Reds back into the game. But before the teenage striker could have a meaningful go at it, Burnley instead came up with another killer attacking move to go 2-0 up after 56 minutes.
A smart, swift passing move cut through United and Jay Rodriguez stunned Old Trafford with a stunning left-foot drive that flashed high above David De Gea’s despairing attempt to stop a sensational strike.
United rallied with a flashing effort from James going just wide and then sub Greenwood almost got free but was hauled down by Charlie Taylor who was booked for his rugby tackle. It presented Juan Mata with a great free-kick opportunity but the Spaniard couldn’t capitalise, however, as he floated his set piece over the bar.
Burnley had plenty to hang onto now and they allowed the Reds plenty of the ball to attempt to set up a grandstand finale. Martial had two shots saved but the visitors proved adept at mopping up United’s efforts to carve a way to goal.
Luke Shaw thought he'd come up with a goal to start a late comeback but his 89th minute header was ruled out by the referee Jon Moss, backed up by VAR, for his push on Jeff Hendrick.
Solskjaer: We have to hold our hands up
Watch as the manager gives his opinion on the performance against Burnley in his post-match interview...
United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire (C), Jones, Williams (Shaw 69); Matic, Fred; Andreas (Greenwood 45), Mata, James (Lingard 69); Martial.
Subs not used: Romero, Dalot, Bailly, Gomes.
Burnley: Pope, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Lowton, Westwood, Cork, McNeil, Hendrick, Wood, Rodriguez.
Subs not used: Hart, Brady Pieters, Lennon, Vyrda, Long, Goodridge.
Goals: Wood 38, Rodriguez 56.
Bookings: Taylor, Westwood.
Attendance: 73,198.
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