BURNLEY 0, MANCHESTER UNITED 2
Marcus Rashford was sent off as Manchester United bounced back from a home defeat to Spurs with victory at Burnley after two goals from Romelu Lukaku.
Jose Mourinho had something to celebrate this time when he went to the travelling fans at Burnley to join them in celebrating Manchester United’s first win since the opening day of the Premier League season against Leicester City despite Paul Pogba missing a penalty before Rashford was given his marching orders.
Less than a week after a pointed move to the Stretford End to applaud the fans after the 3-0 home reverse to Spurs, Mourinho will have enjoyed the support from the travelling fans at Turf Moor.
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The win meant that the issue of the plane that flew over Burnley’s ground – apparently funded by a Manchester United supporters group called “A Voice from the Terrace” – which was pulling a banner saying: “Ed Woodward – a specialist in failure” could be overlooked after a “very good performance” according to Mourinho.
The wording on the banner recalled Mourinho’s past war of words with former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, as well as reflecting a perceived battle with the United executive vice-chairman over transfer policy this summer, but the Portuguese claimed not to have seen it after the game – adding that Woodward had also won the match 2-0.
Perhaps it was the best time to polish off a tired Burnley side, still reeling from their Europa League exit last Thursday at the hands of Olympiakos, but United certainly started the game at a canter – peppering the home side with shots.
Victor Lindelof replaced the injured Phil Jones, with Marouane Fellaini and Alexis Sanchez replacing Fred and Ander Herrera who were dropped to the bench.
Two first half goals by Romelu Lukaku set the Reds on the road to victory but it wasn’t an unqualified success as former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart saved Paul Pogba’s penalty to keep the score respectable after the break and Marcus Rashford was sent off soon after for violent conduct.
The red card was ironic considering the supposedly calming effects of wearing a pink strip – a new away kit launched by United and used for the first time at Turf Moor.
Marcus Rashford red card fails to stop Manchester United win
Rashford was dismissed after clashing heads with Phil Bardsley after the pair of them slid off the pitch in a tangle.
The England international hadn’t been on the pitch long after replacing a miffed looking Alexis Sanchez, who had linked up brilliantly with Luke Shaw down United’s left flank, and will now miss Premier League games against Watford and Wolves plus the Carabao Cup game against Derby County.
Lukaku had earlier missed several good opportunities get United started at Burnley after some good saves from Hart but he finally scored after 27 minutes with a header at the back post following a great cross by Sanchez.
His second was a predatory finish just before half time when Jesse Lingard’s shot deflected to the big Belgian after a move which was started by Sanchez – taking him to three for the season from United’s four games so far.
United couldn’t kill off Burnley in the second half, Hart made some great saves during the game and also dived well to deny Pogba a penalty after Aaron Lennon had fouled substitute Rashford before the young England striker was dismissed for retaliating against Phil Bardsley after the pair clashed around the hour mark.
Ben Mee was responsible for twice denying Lukaku his hat trick as Burnley failed to capitalise on United’s deficit.
Mourinho conceded that the sending off was a “naive” mistake by Rashford but United were able to secure the points even if they couldn’t add to the scoreline.