September 24, 2023 1:52 pm
Clarets see narrow defeat on home turf
Burnley battled hard on Saturday night but it was Manchester United who took the three points in a narrow victory at Turf Moor.
A Fernandes volley was the difference in the end despite the Clarets positive display which saw them enjoy a flurry of chances.
First Half
Manchester United aimed to show an early dominance and throughout an edgy few opening minutes raced forward with James Trafford called into action early to deny Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes.
Amdouni came close to putting the Clarets ahead just before the 10 minute mark, when he met a Connor Roberts cross with a clean header that was well saved by Onana.
A Dalot foul, which results in a yellow card, on Koleosho saw a Clarets free-kick taken by Gudmundsson well defended by Manchester United, Josh Brownhill was well positioned just outside the box to bring the ball down well from his chest but his volley sails over the bar after a sustained period of pressure from the home side.
On the 16th minute the Clarets crowd very nearly thought they’d edged ahead when Amdouni having been lively throughout the opening stages saw his shot from close range hit the post.
Vincent Kompany made a change early with summer signing Tresor coming on in the 19th minute for winger Gudmundsson.
A Fernandes corner on the 25th minute saw an Evans header hit the back of the net however a subsequent VAR check resulted in the goal being chalked off for offside and the score remain 0-0.
Rashford and Hojlund made sure the Clarets defence were alert, with the two linking up in the box and the Manchester United number 11 getting his shot away but it travelled past the post.
With just over half an hour on the clock, Koleosho undertook his defensive duties well supporting Connor Roberts down the right hand side against Marcus Rashford. The Clarets cleared their lines well ushering the ball out of harms way.
As the half drew to a close in the last five minutes it was the home side that were applying the pressure. Koleosho and Tresor kept the Manchester United defence busy before a counter attack saw Al-Dakhil sweep up at the back for the Clarets.
Aaron Ramsey on his first start in claret and blue tested Onana in the 41st minute but the Manchester United keeper kept his effort out.
The visitors struck first just as three minutes added time were announced, when a ball over the top from Jonny Evans found Bruno Fernandes with the Manchester United skipper’s volley putting his team ahead.
Hojlund remained a goal threat in the closing minutes sending an effort over the bar and was later flagged offside.
Manchester United entered the break ahead one nil up.
Second Half
Neither manager made any changes at half-time as the actioned resumed.
A Manchester United cross flashed across goal but there was no-one there to meet it. Before Burnley’s patient build up edged them up the pitch.
As the second half wore on the Clarets saw patches of pressure however Manchester United continued to threaten. Marcus Rashford cushioned a header in the box for Hojlund with his effort poked out for a corner.
The visitors picked up their second yellow card of the evening on the 55th minute, when Sergio Reguilon joined Diogo Dalot in the book.
Just over the hour mark Jordan Beyer did well to divert a Dalot cross to Trafford to collect, as the home side looked to build up from the back and go again.
The referee deemed a Lindelof and Rashford foul on Aaron Ramsey but before the free-kick could be taken Vincent Kompany made a triple substitution with Rodriguez, Berge and Bruun Larsen introduced for Amdouni, Ramsey and Koleosho.
With the free-kick cleared shortly afterwards there was a short break in play as an on rushing Rodriguez came together with Reguilon. Shortly after Ten Hag made a change with Reguilon replaced by Varane.
A Rodriguez shot was blocked for a corner as Burnley continued their hunt for an equaliser.
For the Clarets Benson came on for Brownhill in the 87th minute. Two minutes later Evans made way for Amrabat.
Burnley’s Jordan Beyer picked up a yellow as the final minutes ticked on.
Manchester United held firm in the closing stages to hold onto the win, 0-1.
Burnley: Trafford, Taylor, Beyer, Gudmundsson (Tresor 19), Brownhill (Benson 87), Roberts, Ramsey (Berge 73), Cullen, Amdouni (Rodriguez 73), Al-Dakhil, Koleosho (Bruun Larsen 73)
Unused substitutes: Muric, Cork, Zaroury, Delcroix
Manchester United: Onana, Lindelof, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund, Reguilon (Varane 79), Casemiro, Dalot, Evans (Amrabat 89), McTominay, Hannibal
Unused substitutes: Bayindir, Martial, Erikson, Garnacho, Pellistri, Van de Beek, Gore
Goals: Fernandes 45′
