Manchester United hosted Burnley and despite a below-par performance against Newcastle United, Manchester United decided to get the goals early and all the goals came in the first half, thanks to McTominay, Sancho (Ben Mee own goal) and Cristiano Ronaldo with Aaron Lennon giving the visitor a consolation goal.
It wasn't an entirely convincing performance from Manchester United but they would take the win after their horrible showing against Newcastle United. Ralf Rangnick made 6 changes to the side that drew against Newcastle United and Bruno Fernandes was dropped while Shaw, Wan Bissaka, Bailly, Matic, Sancho and Cavani all came into the starting lineup.
Burnley had the first chance with Chris Woods but despite being found inside the box, he couldn't keep his header down. The shocking moment came for Manchester United in the 5th minute after Ronaldo was found with a pass. He managed to keep the ball in view with his header and with the goalkeeper and the post staring at him, Ronaldo blasted his effort over the bar.
United got the lifeline they needed 3 minutes after when Greenwood's effort was blocked at the edge of the box and he managed to lay the pass to Cristiano Ronaldo whose heavy touch made the ball move away from him but not away from Scott McTominay who pounced on the ball and produced such a sumptuous finish with the goalkeeper helpless to do anything about it.
Shaw produced his individual brilliance, a reminder of the form we have known him to have a few months back after he ran the length of the field gliding through but his finishing let him down after his strike graced the outside of the net.
United doubled their lead in the 27th minute after Shaw found Sancho and he managed to stroll into the box as he cheekily found space to guide the ball into the back of the net. It came off Ben Mee and it would go down as an own goal against Burnley.
Ronaldo wasted another opportunity in the 30th minute after Scott McTominay picked him out with a clever pass. He failed to sort his feet out and when he finally did, defenders already closed him down and his effort was blocked for a corner kick. He should have done better there and he has wasted two glaring chances for Manchester United.
Greenwood had an audacious attempt shortly after with the hope to catch the goalkeeper napping but the goalkeeper was up to it. Maguire allowed the ball to bounce on the other end of the pitch which allowed Chris Woods time on the ball but his shot was blocked by United defence line. United controlled the match and restricted Burnley to half chances.
Ronaldo got third time lucky in the 36th minute after McTominay's brilliant curling effort got pushed by the goalkeeper to the post and the ball came to Ronaldo who pounced and guided the ball home to make it 3-0 for United and 14th this season already for Ronaldo. Burnley got one back in the 38th minute after United failed to deal with Aaron Lennon and he beautifully found the back of the net with a low drive to give Burnley hope at 3-1.
United started the second half as they did the first and Ronaldo wasted another chance after Greenwood found him in the box and he directed his header off target. 2 minutes after, in the 50th minute, Cavani fed Greenwood and his curling strike was stopped for a corner kick at full stretch of the goalkeeper.
McTominay continued his brilliant showing in the 63rd minute after Greenwood started a counter and found Sancho. Sancho waited and fed Ronaldo who then gave the ball to McTominay at the edge of the box and his one-time curling effort was pushed away for a corner kick.
Ronaldo and Cavani combined in the 70th minute after Greenwood found Ronaldo inside the box and rather than strike the ball, he headed it into the direction of Cavani whose strike was blocked off by the face of the goalkeeper and also flagged for offside.
Burnley had few chances to get a second goal but they just couldn't get that extra bite. Peters miskicked in the box, Chris Woods couldn't get his feet on the ball and Tarkowski's header was saved by De Gea up close. It was a needed win for Manchester United who has now gone unbeaten in 4 games that Ralf Rangnick has been in charge. United has taken 10 points from a possible of 12 points since he was in charge.
The game ended 3-1 and United would be happy to get the win with a game in hand that would keep them within a touching distance of Arsenal in 4th place.
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