Staff Reporter.
Manchester United scored three first-half goals for the first time in the Premier League since January as they swept Burnley aside at Old Trafford to move back into the top six.
Scott McTominay’s eighth-minute curler from the edge of the area was United’s quickest top-flight goal since the Scot scored twice in the opening minutes against Leeds more than 12 months ago.
Jadon Sancho’s deflected effort doubled the hosts’ advantage before Cristiano Ronaldo – who had wasted a glorious chance after being sent clean through when the game was still goalless – tapped into an empty net after McTominay’s shot had been touched on to a post by Burnley keeper Wayne Hennessey.
Aaron Lennon took advantage of a poor first touch from Eric Bailly to pull one back for the visitors with a clinical finish into the bottom corner.
However, in their first game since 12 December, Burnley lacked the stamina or the guile to trouble United further and remain in the bottom three.
The victory extends United’s unbeaten run since the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to eight matches, although as they are only two points closer to the top of the league than the bottom, they still have some way to go if they are to start to create a meaningful legacy to the feats of Sir Alex Ferguson, who celebrates his 80th birthday on New Year’s Eve.
Man United boss Ralf Rangnick was pleased with the attacking performance in the first half in particular.
“The whole team performance was a lot better, I was pleased with the performances of our wingers. Jadon did well and Mason. Cavani and Cristiano, the work effort was amazing,” he said.
United are four points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, with a game in hand, as they search for a way into the top four and a place in next season’s Champions League.
“I wouldn’t say fourth is the minimum. It is about taking next development steps. Now eight games in a row without a defeat. It is about taking next steps,” said the German.
Burnley manager Sean Dyche said his team had paid the price for some lax defending.
“The frustrating thing for me is that we could have made two blocks on the edge of the box and we didn’t,” he said.
“I was quite pleased with the performance generally, we are a little bit stretched with COVID and injuries. There were some good performances but the details are killing us.”