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Manchester United were looking to make it 9 wins in 9 games since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's appointment when they hosted Burnley on Tuesday night. United were on a fantastic run in the Premier League and had won 6 games in a row in the league in the build up to the game. This had enabled them to close the gap to 4th position to just 3 points. Solskjaer had to make a few changes to the team in order to accommodate the busy schedule.
He brought in De Gea in place of Romero, while Phil Jones replaced Bailly in the back four. In the middle, Andreas Pereira replaced Ander Herrera, who started from the bench. Rashford and Mata were included in the team in place of Sanchez and Lingard. Martial was totally left out due to injury.
United started the game quite strong and threatened to score in the early stages. However, Burnley were resolute in defense and managed to keep the home team at bay. Ashley Barnes shocked the Old Trafford crowd when Burnley capitalized on an error from Andreas Pereira to take the lead in the 51st minute and then Chris Wood put Burnley 2-0 up in the 81st minute.
When it looked like Solskjaer was destined for his first defeat, Pogba scored from the spot to make it 1-2. In the second minute of injury time, Lindelof reacted the quickest to put the ball in the back of the net, and thereby score his first goal for Manchester United to earn them a hard-fought point.
It was the end of the perfect start to Solskjaer's life as United boss, but even with two dropped points, Solskjaer should be happy with his team's performance in the second half. The game was a learning experience for United and here are 5 lessons for Solskjaer from the night.
#5 Solskjaer's system needs a fast and fluid front three
The former Norway striker opted for a front three of Lukaku, Rashford and Mata, but the three of them looked a bit rigid in the first half. Rashford started on the left and looked threatening, however, it was a bit one dimensional from United at times, as the normal interchanging movement from the front three was unusually missing.
It was only when the Solskjaer brought on Lingard and Sanchez for Pereira and Lukaku in the second half that United found their speed back. The front three rediscovered their flexibility again and rallied late into the night to snatch a point from the hands of defeat. Lingard won the penalty and it was also his movement that led to United's second goal.
As such, Solskjaer needs to continue with that flexibility up front to have the maximum effect in his 4-3-3 system.
#4 Manchester United need a central defender
Phil Jones is a liability, that is certain now. Even though United managed to ride on their ridiculous attacking talents to recover a point, it was two unforced errors that almost cost them the game on the night.
While Andreas Pereira was at fault for the first goal, Phil Jones could have avoided giving him the ball when the Brazilian was under pressure from two Burnley players. It was a lack of judgement from the English defender, who still looks like he has a mistake in his game.
This lack of a stellar defender at the back affected the whole United game play on the night. Victor Lindelof was massive, but he was put under too much pressure and as a consequence, it cost his concentration and form on the night.
For the second goal, Jones was out of position and as such Lindelof had to leave his line and cover the near post. This left the far post vacant and Ashley Young could not stop Chris Wood from plotting a simple header in.
As such, a defensive reinforcement is desperately required at United, because against Burnley, two errors cost United two points.
#3 This United team has the ability to fight till the end
The famous United teams of the old had a certain level of desire on the field that put them apart. They never knew when they were beaten and fought on till the very last minute. Solskjaer is aware of this quality that signifies a typical United team, because he was a part of the team that had been bred in this philosophy.
As such, it is only fitting that his team showed the same relentlessness that had made United famous. The Red Devils went behind in the 51st minute and just before injury time, but that did not break their spirit.
When they went 2-0 up, it looked like the game was over, but Solskjaer inducted his never-say-die attitude into his men and therefore, they he was rewarded with two late goals.
This relentlessness has to be the positive from the night for the Norwegian boss. He will be contented knowing that his team is doing well going forward and that the night was just a minor block on the road and moreover, a reason to bounce back.
#2 Rashford needs a free role through the center
Solskjaer started with Rashford on the left, as he gave Martial a night off due to a slight niggle picked up in training. He had the option of starting with Alexis Sanchez, but preferred to keep the Chilean on the bench. Solskjaer started with Lukaku and Mata alongside Rashford as a new look attack, but the front three never hit it off in the game.
Lukaku set up Rashford brilliantly in the early stages of the first half and the youngster should have scored. It was a glimpse of how deadly the United No. 9 and No. 10 could be as a pair, however, Rashford spent majority of the first half on the left and failed to have any impact on the game.
As soon as he shifted infield in the second half, United looked a better team, especially on the counter. Rashford is at his best when he is allowed to float through the front three, and restricting him on a side does not help United at all.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seems to have noticed this, because the change in system came in the second half along with the change in personnel.
#1 Ander Herrera is crucial to this team
The Spaniard earned a much deserved rest after his recent exploits, as Solskjaer opted to keep his midfield dynamo on the bench. Andreas Pereira was drafted in to partner Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic in the middle, but the Brazilian looked inappropriate for the role selected for him.
Whenever Pereira had time on the ball and was asked to pick out a pass, he was fabulous, however, his off the ball work and pressing were extremely poor. From the start of the game, United missed Herrera's infectious energy, his bite in the middle and his planning and awareness on the pitch.
Even though Pogba was fabulous on the night, there were instances where he looked isolated. Matic was overworked in the middle in the first half and had to bear the bulk of the defensive burden. It is clear that both the Serbian and the Frenchman thrive alongside Ander Herrera. It seemed like those two relished the presence of the Spaniard.
Ander Herrera is the heart of this United machine and Solskjaer will be desperate for Sunday so that he can reinstate his midfield general in the team.
