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Manchester United were looking to add some consistency to their game when they traveled to the Turf Moor to face Burnley on Saturday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s topsy-turvy season had taken a positive turn in midweek. After the disappointing result against Watford last weekend, the Norwegian would have demanded a response from his wards against the Magpies. And United certainly fulfilled Solskjaer’s wish with an impressive show at Old Trafford.
Despite going behind early in the game, the Red Devils scored 4 goals off a fantastic night for the strikers.
The Red Devils were looking to continue their rich vein of form against the Clarets, who were 4 points behind them at the 12th position. However, United had managed to win back-to-back games in the league only once this season - against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in early December. As such, Solskjaer was aware that his team had a daunting task ahead of them.
Having played against Newcastle just two days ago, the Norwegian was also wary of the fatigues in his squad and made four changes to the team.
Manchester United Starting XI: David de Gea; Ashley Young, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Brandon Williams; Nemanja Matic, Fred, Andreas Pereira; Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Daniel James
Manchester United started the game very well and took the lead through Martial in the 44th minute. The Red Devils went into the break with a narrow 1-0 lead.
In the second half, Burnley grew in confidence and piled up the pressure on the away side. However, the Red Devils held on and then doubled their lead through Rashford in the 95th minute to win the game.
Manchester United managed to end the year on a high with a win, and Solskjaer will be particularly impressed with these 5 men, who were brilliant on the day.
#5 Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire kept his place in the team against Burnley but lost his armband to Ashley Young. Nevertheless, the Englishman proved to be the defensive rock United needed on the pitch, marshaling his defense like a true leader and helping United earn a precious clean sheet.
With Brandon Williams bombing forward at every opportunity, the Englishman had to be alert all through the game to ensure the home team could not exploit the spaces in the United half. Maguire stepped up regularly from the back and ensured that United always had the momentum on their side.
The Englishman attempted 53 passes with an 87% accuracy, and even registered 1 key pass.
At the back, Maguire was solid, assured and determined to battle for a clean sheet. He registered seven defensive aerials and won 63% of his aerials, refusing to allow the opposition strikers to boss him in the box.
As the Clarets grew in confidence with every passage of play, the Englishman was crucial as United stayed composed at the back.
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#4 Andreas Pereira
After a decent outing against Newcastle, Andreas Pereira was one of the players retained for the game against the Clarets. The Brazilian’s aggression has been one of the highlights of his game this season; he had taken the game to the Magpies in midweek in the No. 10 role.
Pereira started the game against Burnley in the same position and implemented a high press right from the start of the game. The Brazilian was a bundle of energy in the opposition half and showed great desire to close down the Burnley backline.
With the ball at his feet, Pereira displayed impressive composure and created quite a few chances for his team. The Brazilian ended the game having attempted 42 passes with 74% accuracy, and registered a game-high four key passes.
Just before the break, his desire and hunger finally bore fruit for his team.
With Charlie Taylor on the ball, Pereira sniffed an opportunity to stifle the left-back. He harrowed the Englishman into submission, won back the ball and then sent in a wonderful ball to Martial. The Frenchman scored and gave United the lead.
#3 Daniel James
Daniel James had seen his position in the team come under threat after Mason Greenwood’s recent performances. The Englishman was particularly impressive against the Magpies, where he also got on the scoresheet, piling further pressure on James.
However, the Welshman was back into the team against the Clarets, with a point to prove to his manager.
James threatened to break away with his pace but did not have too much of an impact in the first half. He did have a shot blocked, following which Martial’s shot was saved off the line.
The Welshman started the second half with renewed vigor and began to assert his influence on the game. He endured a lot of fouls from the opposition, but his spirit was unbreakable.
James had a 100% tackle success rate, registering four successful tackles in the game and working extremely hard to preserve the narrow lead in the game. And perhaps in his last kick of the game, he brought a sense of calm to United fans all over the world.
As Burnley threw the kitchen sink at United in the second-half injury time, United embarked on a counter. James spearheaded the move, running into the opposition half with desire and determination rarely seen in the 95th minute of the game.
He sent in a beautiful through ball to Rashford, who sent United 2-0 up and sealed the game.
#2 Anthony Martial
After scoring a brace against Newcastle in midweek, the Frenchman entered the game against Burnley with his confidence and swagger restored. Anthony Martial also had a fantastic record against Burnley at Turf Moor; he had scored in every appearance for Manchester United against the Clarets away from home.
The fact that the Frenchman had already scored nine goals so far for the Red Devils this season also gave the home side more reason to pay close attention to him.
Martial started the game with the same attitude and work ethic that were so effective against the Magpies. The Frenchman was lively and closed down the opposition very well. He even dropped down to get involved in the build-up play, but most of his good work was done near the box.
It was here that Martial took up little pockets of space and conjured magic to keep the opposing defense on their toes. He combined very well with Brandon Williams as well as Marcus Rashford, and Phil Bardsley had to make a goal-line clearance to stop the Frenchman from scoring in the 34th minute.
Just when it looked like the game would go into the break with the scores level, the Frenchman struck gold. Martial was sent free by Pereira after some impressive pressing by the Brazilian down the right. The Frenchman had the composure to take a touch and then slot the ball home past the onrushing Nick Pope.
Martial did also have a glorious opportunity to score his second after the break, but failed to find the back of the net.
#1 Marcus Rashford
The Englishman has stepped up massively this season for Manchester United, taking over the role of goalscoring talisman for his team. Marcus Rashford had already scored 15 goals in all competitions ahead of the game and was in the form of his life.
Having scored against Newcastle in midweek, the Englishman was expected to come good against Burnley too. And he did not disappoint.
Rashford lit up the left side of the United attack and combined brilliantly with Anthony Martial and Brandon Williams all through the game. He drifted inside regularly, switched places with the Frenchman and even popped up on the right wing at times.
The Englishman also hit the outside of the bar in the first half. He registered 5 shots in the game, 2 of which were on target. Rashford attempted 9 dribbles with a 67% success rate, and pulled the opposition defense all over the place with his movement and skills.
The Englishman also worked very hard off the ball, defending as a team and helping United keep the shape whenever they conceded possession. And in the dying moments of the game, Rashford dealt a telling blow to the home side.
After James had released him on the counter in the 95th minute, Rashford rounded off the goalkeeper but slipped in the final moment. However, he still managed to poke the ball into the back of the net and confirm all 3 points for the Red Devils.
