Lukaku finishes as Pogba grimaces: Winners and losers from Burnley’s 2-0 defeat against Manchester United

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Burnley faced Manchester United this afternoon with both sides looking to kick-start their 2018/19 Premier League campaign. 

With Sean Dyche’s side out of Europe and starting the day in the relegation zone, the Clarets were seeking their first victory of the season.

In contrast, United were facing criticism both on and off the pitch, with United boss Jose Mourinho leading his side into this match after a tough week battling the media and a tough start to the campaign, with losses to Brighton and Tottenham mounting the pressure on the Old Trafford club.

The first half saw United dominate proceedings as they looked to get off to a good start at Turf Moor. In the 27th minute, United took the lead through a Romelu Lukaku header following an Alexis Sanchez cross. Not long before half-time and it was 2-0, and it was that man again, Lukaku, to do the damage via a well-taken shot in the Burnley penalty area.

The second-half saw much of the same, with United dominating possession and Burnley struggling to create any attack of real threat or value. Aaron Lennon brought down substitute Marcus Rashford in the area and referee Jon Moss awarded United a penalty kick. Paul Pogba stepped up – very, very slowly – and Joe Hart saved down to his right and kept Burnley in the game.

Soon after, Rashford was involved yet again. But this time, a confrontation between him and former United defender Phil Bardsley saw the England international push his head towards the Burnley man and Moss decided it warranted a red card.

The final 20 minutes saw United battle on with just ten men with Burnley naturally gaining more possession due to the man advantage, however, the score was to remain the same.

Here are the winners and losers from Manchester United’s 2-0 victory away against Burnley.

Winner

Lukaku & Sanchez

The two superstars have failed to impress so far this season. In fact, Sanchez is yet to produce any real consistency since his arrival from Arsenal back in January of this year.

With Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial waiting in the shadows to pounce on any given chance to seal their place in the United starting eleven, it was important for the two talents to produce a performance worthy of starting.

It didn’t take too long for both Lukaku and Sanchez to showcase their talent. 27 minutes into the match, Sanchez was given far too much space on the left touchline which allowed him to pick out an exquisite cross to Lukaku who simply couldn’t miss. The Belgium international put United 1-0 up with his second goal in four games and was a constant menace to the Burnley defence.

Sanchez’s record against Burnley is pretty good too, having scored four goals in five Premier League appearances against Burnley. However, today he turned provider while staying just as effective in the final third of the pitch, working well with Jesse Lingard to cause havoc in the final third.

But it was Lukaku who will dominate headlines after his second strike – his first brace since the opening day of the 2017/18 season – put United into a well-earnt lead just before half-time.

Loser

Burnley

Sean Dyche’s side may have used their Europa League qualification campaign as an excuse as to why their start to this season’s Premier League campaign has been relatively poor by Dyche’s high standards.

They are now, of course, not worrying about any European dreams following their exit in midweek. Perhaps you could blame this performance on tired legs and minds but in truth, they should have tested United far more than they did this afternoon, travel or not.

The Claret’s looked slow in both pressuring the United attack and attacking the United defence.

Burnley’s have only beaten Manchester United once in the past 17 Premier League meetings – back in 2009 – while Dyche is yet to beat Mourinho in the English top division. Burnley never looked like putting either record to bed.

They will also note that their home form has drastically dropped since the turn of the year, with Burnley producing the third-worst home record – Huddersfield (eight points) and Southampton (seven points) – this calendar year, acquiring just nine points to date.

Burnley; yet to win in the Premier League this season. Not a good start for Dyche’s men.

Winner

Jose Mourinho

Going into this match, the United boss was facing increasing pressure from some of the United supporters and most of the British media following his poor start to the season with the Red Devils and his well-documented antics throughout his heated press conferences.

Throughout the match, his name was sung aloud by the travelling support who made it clear that the majority value the services of the talented manager and believe that he is the right man to take Manchester United forward.

He will be delighted with the professional performance from his players, who looked solid and untested at the back and a constant threat going forward.

The Red Devils have now kept 10 clean sheets in 11 visits to Burnley in all competitions and have also won four consecutive Premier League matches at Turf Moor in the process.

Mourinho will not be happy, however, with the manor of Pogba’s penalty miss. Their relationship certainly doesn’t need any more testing. A red card for the normally mild-mannered Rashford will also be an annoyance.

Loser

Ed Woodward

The Manchester United chief executive held firm across the summer transfer window by not granting all of Jose Mourinho’s transfer wishes heading into the new campaign.

Of course, Woodward has already given the United boss plenty of pennies to spend across the last few seasons, but the man in charge of the United wallet has come under fire from United supporters.

Mourinho’s actions in his press conferences and United’s poor start to the season have piled more pressure on the shoulders of Woodward who may feel unfairly treated by those asking the club to spend even more money.

To make matters worse, while both Burnley and Manchester United were involved in a minutes silence prior to kick-off, an aeroplane made it’s way over Turf Moor with a banner fluttering on the backend of the aircraft.

The message? “Ed Woodward is a specialist in failure”.

As one problem sorts itself – United’s two straight losses – another one arises with the conflict and anger between club and supporters continue to rise game by game.

Winner

Joe Hart

Having played every minute of Burnley’s Premier League campaign to date, Hart has established himself as the club’s number one following the injury to Nick Pope and the absence of Tom Heaton.

This is Hart’s best opportunity to reignite his career following a disappointing two years with Torino and West Ham United respectively and he will hope to keep his place in the Burnley goal as the season progresses.

Having conceded seven goals in three matches, Hart needed a strong performance to convince Burnley supporters that he is good enough to be a regular at Turf Moor.

There wasn’t much he could do about the opening goal from Lukaku but he did make a great save against the striker later on in the first half, coming out quickly to block a shot that would have put United 2-0 inside 35 minutes.

Lukaku’s second strike was too good for most goalkeepers to block but Hart will be disappointed with his goals conceded record so far in his Burnley career.

However, Hart got down well to stop Pogba putting United 3-0 up from a penalty kick and then made a great save to deny Lukaku from sealing his hattrick.

All in all, it was a decent afternoon for the former England number one, who will know that Tom Heaton is ready and waiting to take his place if his form falters anytime soon.

Loser

Paul Pogba

The United centre-midfielder has come under criticism throughout his entire career for his lack of consistency despite his obvious talent.

He has also been accused of putting self-indulgence over the success of the team, be it his displayed attitude, style of play or even his choice of haircut.

His relationship with both the club and his manager has been well-documented as tense at best, with links to some of Europe’s biggest club’s naturally arising across the last year.

Today will do his image no favours with his lackadaisical penalty kick failing to secure the win at the time for Mourinho’s side.

When you take as much time on your run-up as you take a penalty kick, you simply have to score otherwise you will quite bluntly, embarrass yourself.

Well, Pogba missed. Or rather, Hart saved. But either way, it was extremely poor form from the French World Cup winner who may think twice about doing the same cringey antics if he is still allowed to take penalties for Manchester United.

The post Lukaku finishes as Pogba grimaces: Winners and losers from Burnley’s 2-0 defeat against Manchester United appeared first on Squawka News.



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