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Manchester United continued their brilliant run of form in the Premier League as they dispatched Burnley in stunning style to register their 19th win of the campaign. A brace from in-form star Mason Greenwood and a late third from Edinson Cavani proved too much to handle for the Clarets, whose only goal in the 3-1 loss was scored by James Tarkowski.
The Red Devils were the dominant side by some distance in the first 45 minutes as they had over 70% of the ball and created a host of opportunities, but couldn't breach Burnley's defence despite having the upper hand.
Mason Greenwood finally managed to break the deadlock on 48 minutes after a sublime team move from Manchester United.
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After winning the ball back in their own half, Marcus Rashford received the ball and blitzed past Mathew Lowton, and set up Bruno Fernandes near the edge of the area. The Portuguese' clever dummy dragged the onrushing Clarets defenders out of position to free up an unmarked Greenwood, who smashed the ball past Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
However, Burnley retaliated just two minutes later after James Tarkowski headed the ball into the net from a corner after beating Harry Maguire in the air.
With just five minutes left on the clock, Greenwood notched his second of the game as his deflected strike breached the visitors' defence. As Burnley attempted to commit bodies forward to find a late equaliser, Manchester United compounded their misery by adding a third goal after Cavani finished a slick counter-attacking move to see off Burnley.
The result takes Manchester United to within eight points of league leaders Manchester City. It was their fifth consecutive Premier League win, and the hosts have lost just one game in their last 26 league games this season.
Here, we take a look at five major talking points from the game.
#5 Manchester United's set-piece woes at the fore once again
It is no secret that Manchester United have struggled to deal with set-pieces in the box. The Red Devils have often conceded goals from set-piece situations, and many of them have come in crucial situations. Against Burnley at Old Trafford, this weakness was on display once again.
Burnley are a side renowned for their threat from such situations, and they capitalised on a corner by finding an equaliser just two minutes after going behind. James Tarkowski — one of the most aerially strong players in the league — proved his worth to Sean Dyche's men as he rose highest to give Burnley the goal despite being up against a colossus in Harry Maguire.
The Burnley man bullied the Manchester United captain and left Dean Henderson with no chance of saving his powerful header. It was ultimately of little consequence against the Clarets as they went on to win the game, but this has been a recurring problem for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.
This season alone, Manchester United have conceded a host of goals from similar situations — Simon Kjaer's late equaliser for AC Milan, Jan Bednarek's opener for Southampton, John Stones' winner in the EFL Cup semi-final for Manchester City, among others. Their inability to defend set-pieces has to be dealt with sooner rather than later.
#4 What is Paul Pogba's best position?
Paul Pogba is arguably in the midst of one of his best campaigns for Manchester United and much of it has to do with the freedom he's been given by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Norwegian has allowed the Frenchman to be more expressive on the pitch by deploying him high up alongside Fernandes, playing off the left-hand side. With Luke Shaw providing width, Pogba has wreaked havoc in that area of the pitch.
When Cavani came on for Fred at half-time, Pogba was pushed from his role on the left to central midfield next to Scott McTominay, and the difference in his game was noticeable, to say the least. Pogba took a while in the second half to get going once again after a superb first half.
This isn't to say that Pogba played poorly in the second half as he was still impressive and it was his pass that led to the winner. However, he is evidently beginning to get accustomed to an attacking role, giving Solskjaer a selection dilemma. With everyone fit, will the Frenchman start on the left over Rashford? Will Solskjaer switch to a three-man midfield next season if they manage to sign a talented defensive midfielder?
Only time will provide the answers to these questions, but the difference in his productivity on the evening from a deeper role and that on the left will be something for Solskjaer to mull over.
Also read: Twitter reacts as Mason Greenwood inspires Manchester United to 3-1 win against Burnley
#3 Super-sub Edinson Cavani at it once again
Edinson Cavani has been in sublime form over the last couple of months, popping up with important goals for Manchester United. While his goal against Burnley was not nearly as important as some of the others he's scored, his involvement and overall contribution since coming on was vital for the Red Devils.
Despite seeing over 70% of the ball in the first half, Manchester United were unable to break down a tough Burnley side which led to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bringing Cavani on at half-time in place of Fred to add an attacking presence. The Uruguayan proved to be the catalyst as he dragged players out of position and created more space for the likes of Greenwood and Rashford in the box.
Fresh off his stunning volley against Granada, Cavani was as sharp as ever and ended the game with a typical poacher's goal, and his movement was crucial for the goal once again. With Fernandes in possession, Cavani occupied the two central defenders to open up an alley on the left channel for Donny van de Beek, who then received the ball from the Portuguese. Van de Beek then set up Cavani for an easy goal, but one that he played a huge part in without touching the ball.
The 34-year-old became the joint-highest scoring substitute in the Premier League this season with Diogo Jota (four apiece). Overall, it was his tenth goal of the campaign across all competitions in his debut campaign for El Matador. Remarkably, he became the first Manchester United #7 to reach this tally since Cristiano Ronaldo.
#2 Full-backs continue to impress
One of the more surprising turnarounds at Manchester United have been the displays from full-backs Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The pair were heavily criticised for their lack of attacking presence, but it's been a whole different story this season as they've been vital to Solskjaer's setup.
Shaw, in particular, has been one of the standout left-backs in Europe this season and will be in the running for Manchester United's Player of the Season award. Against Burnley, no player on the pitch attempted or completed more crosses than the Englishman (ten and four respectively). Shaw also created six chances for the Red Devils, which is at least twice as many as any other player on the evening.
Wan-Bissaka also had an impressive game against the Clarets. While not as adventurous as Shaw, the right-back was one of Manchester United's major outlets on the evening as he registered more touches than anyone across both sides (112) on the ball and delivered two key passes, a number bettered only by Shaw and Rashford. His six clearances were vital for the Red Devils to thwart Burnley as 47% of the Clarets' attacks were down their left.
The former Crystal Palace man had a great outing and has grown in stature over the last year or so, although he still has some way to go in terms of improving his all-round game. Shaw, however, is growing into one of the best left-backs on the continent and put up another excellent display for the Red Devils.
#1 Mason Greenwood's return to the spotlight
There has never been any doubt over Mason Greenwood's immense talent since breaking through at the club. United have gone to great lengths to shield him from the media from a young age, but they could do so no longer after a phenomenal debut campaign last year. After hitting 19 goals in 2019/20, his form took a massive dip this season, but he appears to have put this bad spell behind him.
Greenwood put in a superb shift against Burnley and won the game for Manchester United with two crucial goals. Playing off the right-hand side, the teenager capitalised on Bruno Fernandes' awareness to let the ball roll to him for the first goal before unleashing a deadly strike past Peacock-Farrell for the opener.
For the second, Greenwood cut onto his left in the box and sent a powerful effort onto goal, which found the back of the net after a deflection. He had more shots and shots on target (five and three) than anyone else in the game and improved remarkably well.
It was the third successive Premier League game in which Greenwood came up clutch and won Solskjaer's side the game, after a late winner against Brighton & Hove Albion and a game-changing display at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Solskjaer has always insisted that it was only a matter of time before Greenwood begins scoring regularly, and he could not have been more accurate. The Englishman appears to have shaken off the off-field issues he's faced this season and looks back to his very best.
Also read: 5 Best Manchester United comebacks this season (2020/21)
