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Report: Martial strike ensures United victory over Burnley

Photo: Getty Images

Manchester United have won away to Burnley 1-0. Martial grabbed the winner early in the second half, as United were able to keep a clean sheet and earn another three points.

Mourinho only made 1 change to the team that beat Stoke last Monday, with Ashley Young coming in at left back to replace Luke Shaw.

United started on the front foot, mainly attacking down the wings. Mata had 2 chances to get a good cross into the penalty area, but wasn’t able to find anyone with either ball.

Burnley created the first chance of the afternoon however, when Pogba was dispossessed in midfield. The home side flew forward on the account, and it seemed that Barnes was through on goal, but his shot was heroically blocked by Jones.

It was a frustrating first half for the Red Devils, as they found space hard to come by. Burnley kept a high press going throughout, which stagnated the United attack.

Young came closest to scoring at the half hour mark, when he nutmegged a Burnley defender to get into the penalty area. He went for a curler to the back post, but hit it just wide. Overall, it was a very dull first half.

The second half brought the game to life as United grabbed the opening goal soon after the break. Lukaku held the ball up in the midfield, before turning his marker and bursting forward on the run. He cut inside, and picked out Martial on the left wing. The Frenchman opened up his hips, and looked like he would try to curl one to the back post like he tends to do. However, Martial had everyone fooled, and smashed a shot near post off the underside of the bar.

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Burnley almost equalised immediately afterwards, hitting the crossbar with a free kick. It was an immediate wake up call for the United defence, who gave up a lazy free kick.

The home side came close again, when a low cross was smashed across the penalty area. Smalling was able to deflect it away, as it flew past all the Burnley attackers.

Fellaini then came on for Juan Mata to try and kill off the game.

United had a chance to kill off the game on the counter, when Pogba drove forward on the attack. Pogba had Martial to his left, but decided to cut inside. He got by one defender, but a second came in and blocked the shot.

The visitors hit on the break again, when Martial dribbled forward before passing it off to Lingard on the right wing. The youth product took too long on the ball however, and a Burnley defender was able to get yet another block in. It would be Lingards last contribution to the game, as he then came off for Rashford.

The game fell into a pattern, as Burnley would whip in crosses while United kept trying to hit back on the counter. Martial came close to grabbing a second, but Pope made a good save to block it away.

Mourinho made his third and final change as Ander Herrera came on for Martial.

Burnley had the final chance of the match, getting a corner in the 95th minute. Even the goalie came forward, but United were able to clear it away.

It was quite a scrappy match, but United got the 3 points, and that’s all that matters at this point of the season.

Manchester United’s next match is on Friday, as they face Yeovil Town away from home in the FA Cup.



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