Match ends, Burnley 0, Manchester United 1.
BurnleyBurnley0Man UtdManchester United1
Manchester United beat Burnley thanks to Anthony Martial's well-taken goal at Turf Moor but remain 12 points behind leaders Manchester City.
Martial's second-half strike was one of only two efforts on target from the visitors in a display that was effective rather than entertaining.
After a dour first half, Martial fired in off the underside of the bar after good work in the build-up from Romelu Lukaku.
Burnley pressed forward in search of a leveller, coming closest when Johann Berg Gudmundsson's free-kick hit the bar.
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But United goalkeeper David de Gea rarely looked like blotting his side's fifth successive clean sheet despite a siege on his goal in the final five minutes.
Manchester City defeated Newcastle 3-1 later on Saturday to maintain their advantage over their city rivals.
United attack awaits Sanchez arrival
As United extended their unbeaten run in the league to eight games, it was a scoreline - rather than performance - for their travelling fans to enjoy.
In front of club legends Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton, United took the points in a style in keeping with manager Jose Mourinho's regular modus operandi, rather than the club's dynamic, attacking traditions.
The apparently imminent arrival of industrious Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez will surely jump-start an attack that lacked pace, invention or a single shot on target in the first half.
But, on this occasion, the individual quality of United's squad emerged for just long enough to deliver the decisive goal.
The previously pedestrian Lukaku came to life, barging aside Ben Mee and Steven Defour to secure the loose ball before sweeping it across the field to find Martial, who expertly stood up Phil Bardsley before scoring.
Burnley's reverse run continues
After a stellar first half of the season, Sean Dyche's Burnley have now lost four matches in a row for the first time since May 2015.
The manager has claimed a poor run of results is inevitable for those outside the Premier League's powerhouses, and his side played well enough to end their losing streak.
They had as many shots, as many efforts on target and, at 48%, only slightly less possession than the visitors.
In Mee and, especially, James Tarkowski, they also had the game's standout defensive players.
Amid his excellent work at his own end, Tarkowski came close to a goal at the other as Gudmundsson's low cross just evaded his outstretched boot.
The 25-year-old's new contract, signed on 4 January, is one result the Clarets, now eighth, can be proud of in recent weeks.
Man of the match - James Tarkowski (Burnley)
United improve on the road - the stats
- Manchester United have won five of their last six away Premier League games (drawing the other one), after winning just two of the 10 prior to this run (drawing four and losing four).
- The Clarets have lost three consecutive Premier League home games for the first time since April 2010.
- Burnley have won one of their last 25 matches against Manchester United in all competitions.
- Anthony Martial has scored in three consecutive Premier League appearances for United for the first time.
- David de Gea has kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in Europe's big five leagues this season (14).
'I think Alexis is coming' - what they said
Burnley manager Sean Dyche: "The defining moment is an absolutely fantastic finish from a player they brought in for a lot of money. They just found a moment and that is our next stage of our development but we are not too far away.
"Despite it being a tricky run I'm delighted with the way we are going. Eighth in the Premier League is no mean feat but we have to keep playing like that to get back to winning ways.
Asked about a move for Everton's Aaron Lennon: "Aaron Lennon is a possibility, there are a few players we have been linked with so we will see."
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho: "If you don't score you are in trouble, they go direct, they are consistent in their approach it is really difficult.
"We defended very well, and it is fair to say Mike Dean and his team were very good. There was a lot of first ball, second ball and the physicality.
"Of course we are happy with him (Anthony Martial), we just want consistency, we know he has the talent."
Asked about Alexis Sanchez coming to Manchester United from Arsenal: "If you ask me if I think he is coming, I think so, but I have no confirmation."
What's next?
Burnley are next in action away to Newcastle on Wednesday 31 January, with Manchester United tackling Yeovil away on Friday, before a league trip to Tottenham on the same day as the Clarets' visit to Tyneside.
Line-ups
Burnley
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 29Pope
- 26BardsleyBooked at 67mins
- 5Tarkowski
- 6MeeBooked at 31mins
- 3Taylor
- 17Berg Gudmundsson
- 16DefourBooked at 69mins
- 4Cork
- 37ArfieldSubstituted forNkoudouat 81'minutes
- 13HendrickSubstituted forVokesat 81'minutes
- 10BarnesSubstituted forWellsat 89'minutes
Substitutes
- 2Lowton
- 7Nkoudou
- 9Vokes
- 18Westwood
- 21Wells
- 22Lindegaard
- 28Long
Man Utd
Formation 4-3-3
- 1de Gea
- 25A ValenciaBooked at 90mins
- 12Smalling
- 4Jones
- 18Young
- 14LingardSubstituted forRashfordat 80'minutes
- 31MaticBooked at 76mins
- 6PogbaBooked at 69mins
- 8MataSubstituted forFellainiat 72'minutes
- 9Lukaku
- 11MartialSubstituted forHerreraat 90+4'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Rojo
- 19Rashford
- 20Romero
- 21Herrera
- 23Shaw
- 27Fellaini
- 39McTominay
- Referee:
- Mike Dean
- Attendance:
- 21,841
Match Stats
Home TeamBurnleyAway TeamMan Utd
- Possession
- Home48%
- Away52%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away2
- Corners
- Home5
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Burnley 0, Manchester United 1.
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Foul by Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).
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Jack Cork (Burnley) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Corner, Burnley. Conceded by Antonio Valencia.
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Attempt blocked. Georges-Kévin Nkoudou (Burnley) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
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Antonio Valencia (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Nahki Wells (Burnley).
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester United. Ander Herrera replaces Anthony Martial.
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Attempt missed. Sam Vokes (Burnley) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Johann Berg Gudmundsson with a cross following a set piece situation.
Booking
Antonio Valencia (Manchester United) is shown the yellow card.
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Foul by Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).
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Georges-Kévin Nkoudou (Burnley) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Attempt missed. Sam Vokes (Burnley) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box misses to the right following a corner.
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Corner, Burnley. Conceded by Marcus Rashford.
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Foul by Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).
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Charlie Taylor (Burnley) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Burnley. Nahki Wells replaces Ashley Barnes.
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Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Phil Bardsley.
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Attempt saved. Anthony Martial (Manchester United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Paul Pogba.
Comments
Join the conversation
MOTD have got their work cutout tonight.... Maybe some paint drying onscreen to make up the full slot?
Makes me chuckle.Bitter beyond belief.
The Emptihad is the only stadium where you can lie down and watch the match.Four seats for the price of one.Get to the game you lazy bertie.
Some people seem oblivious to factual stats.
We see the ABU's are already here to worship!
"Manchester City have four ‘big games’ left, against Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham and Chelsea - they could lose all four and thus drop twelve points"
Ok it might happen and will be a dream come true for you but u will have to dream for utd to win all their games and I am afraid that will be hard to come true...
Well dream on.....