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Manchester United logo
Premier League
Feb 11, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Burnley logo

3-1

Smalling (6', 45'), van Persie (82' pen.)
FT(HT: 2-1)
Ings (12')

Live Commentary: Manchester United 3-1 Burnley - as it happened

Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Manchester United and Burnley.
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Manchester United climbed to third in the Premier League with a 3-1 victory over Burnley at Old Trafford.

Chris Smalling, who was an early replacement for the injured Phil Jones, broke the deadlock in the sixth minute before Danny Ings equalised with a fine header.

The hosts were back in front when Smalling scored his second in first-half stoppage time, and Robin van Persie wrapped up the win from the penalty spot on a night when Burnley created the better chances.

Read below to find out how the drama unfolded.


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Good evening everyone! The treat of midweek Premier League football continues tonight with six more matches. I'll be bringing you live updates from Manchester United's meeting with Burnley at Old Trafford. Can Sean Dyche's side upset the odds? Or will United get back to their best?

It's been a tough few days for the manager of one of the biggest clubs in the world. After battling to a 1-1 draw with West Ham United on Sunday, a comment from Sam Allardyce brought a surprising reaction from Louis van Gaal, who produced stat sheets in his press conference in an attempt to prove that Man Utd were not a "long ball team". Is the pressure getting too much? Unlikely, the Dutchman is one of the most experienced managers around. His side could be back up to third later this evening.

Dyche, I'm sure, would love to be under the same pressure as Van Gaal. All of that money, the world-class squad and in the fight for a place in the Champions League. It's a much better place to be than stuck in a relegation battle. Burnley are currently in 19th place, and they head into this game as big underdogs to produce a shock result. Never say never in this league.

MAN UTD: De Gea, McNair, Jones, Evans, Rojo, Blind, Di Maria, Januzaj, Rooney, van Persie, Falcao
SUBS: Valdes, Smalling, Valencia, Fellaini, Herrera, Mata, Wilson

Despite recent criticism, it looks like Wayne Rooney will start in midfield once again behind the strike partnership of Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie. Paddy McNair and Jonny Evans both return to the defence in place of Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw, who misses out following his red card against the Hammers.

BURNLEY: Heaton; Trippier, Keane, Shackell, Mee; Boyd, Arfield, Jones, Kightly; Barnes, Ings
SUBS: Gilks, Duff, Lafferty, Wallace, Reid, Vokes, Jutkiewicz

After 10 successive Premier League matches naming the same side, Burnley boss Dyche has finally made a chance. Dean Marney is out for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury, which gives an opportunity to Michael Kightly.

Danny Ings will have a big decision to make when he becomes a free agent at the end of the season, but he'll be a hero to Burnley supporters forever if he can keep them in the Premier League with his goals.


So, now we know the teams, where is the game going to be won and lost this evening? The partnership of Falcao and Van Persie has been criticised a lot in recent weeks, so both players will be desperate to get back to their best tonight. Former United defender Michael Keane starts in defence for the visitors. His form has been brilliant all season, but he faces a big test against those two.

When things start to go wrong for Manchester United, Wayne Rooney is usually in the firing line. The common opinion seems to be that starting in midfield is not doing the captain any favours. You'd assume that he is eager to play up top, too, but he's been in this position before. When criticism comes his way, he always looks to prove a point. Burnley could be in the firing line tonight.

It's all about weighing up the risks and rewards for Burnley at Old Trafford. Teams that attempt to be positive can be successful against this United side, but Dyche will be fully aware that being too open will allow the hosts to run riot with their world-class attacking talent. Ashley Barnes and Ings will need the right service, and they require support, too. The performances of full-backs Ben Mee and Kieran Trippier could be key. Both players have the potential to create chances in attacking areas.

Burnley's English manager Sean Dyche arrives ahead of the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Newcastle United at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England, on December 2, 2014© Getty Images


STAT: United have won each of their last 12 home games against promoted sides, and are unbeaten in their last 39 since Bolton recorded a shock 2-1 victory in 2001. Michael Ricketts scored the winner for Bolton on that day!

Despite the size of the task ahead of them, Dyche insisted in his pre-match press conference that his Burnley side were excited by the prospect of playing at Old Trafford. These are the kind of nights they wanted when bidding for promotion last season.

"It's the challenge we all wanted. I want it, the players want it, the town wanted it, the club wanted it. You can't then go, 'Oh, they're big games against big clubs'. Yes they are and that's exactly what we were expecting," the Burnley boss told reporters.


Everyone seems to have an opinion on the United side. Some would like to see Ander Herrera in midfield. Are they right?


Before we go any further, make sure you take a look at Sports Mole's preview of tonight's game at Old Trafford.



Burnley have only managed to win one of their previous eight Premier League games, but a victory this evening could take them up to 15th if other results go their way. QPR made the leap out of the bottom three last night, while there were defeats for Aston Villa and Leicester City. The battle could go to the final day of the season, but a win at Old Trafford has the potential to be a turning point.


STAT: Burnley have not beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford in any competition since claiming a 5-3 victory in the old First Division back in 1962.

A quick reminder that you can follow any of tonight's Premier League games by clicking on the fixture in the live scores box. It promises to be another dramatic night of action at both ends of the table.

Van Gaal has made changes once again, and the statistics suggest that it shouldn't be a surprise. Manchester United have started 26 different players in the Premier League this season (a joint league-high), while Burnley have only started 19 (a joint league-low).

Here we go then. The players are on their way out of the tunnel at Old Trafford. Excellent noise from the home fans as always.

Burnley will get the game underway!

CHANCE! Burnley start very impressively and create the first opportunity of the game. Former United defender Keane loses Jones in the box to meet a corner, but he can only head wide from close range. It's a big chance for the centre back.

Not only did Jones lose Keane at the corner, he also appears to be struggling with a knock. The England international is limping at the moment. Van Gaal won't want to lose him this early.

SUBSTITUTION: It's a bigger problem than first expected. Jones is off with an ankle injury and Chris Smalling is his replacement.

GOAL! MAN UTD 1-0 BURNLEY (SMALLING)

Incredible! Smalling has been on for less than a minute and he opens the scoring with his first touch. A corner into the box causes problems for Burnley, and Smalling finds the space to head home.

Burnley have now conceded 15 headed goals this season. Quite simply, that isn't good enough. They started so well and probably should have been ahead, but they've got an even tougher night ahead of them now.

Kightly collects the ball on the wing before beating McNair with a clever move. However, he ignores Ings in the middle and hits a tame effort straight at De Gea. Poor decision.

GOAL! MAN UTD 1-1 BURNLEY (INGS)

What a start to this match! Burnley draw level, and they certainly deserve the equaliser. I mentioned the importance of Trippier earlier, and it's his excellent cross into the box which finds Ings, who rises highest to head past a helpless De Gea.

United do not look comfortable. Dyche urges his players on from the touchline as Di Maria sends a poor pass out of play to bring groans from the home supporters. Burnley are in no mood to give Van Gaal's side an easy night.

CHANCE! Poor from De Gea as he flaps at a cross to gift Burnley a corner, which eventually results in a chance for Ings, whose low strike is blocked by Rojo.

De Gea really hasn't looked comfortable this evening as he struggles to deal with another cross. Burnley are hurrying United in possession and the hosts don't know how to responds. Falcao and Van Persie have barely had a kick.

CHANCE! The impressive Trippier sprints down the right again before picking out Ings, and the striker responds by finding Barnes, who curls just wide from the edge of the box.

Good defending on show as Keane displays his pace to dispossess Falcao after a longer ball into the channel from the hosts.

We've finally hit a quiet period in the match, and United are starting to dominate possession. However, Burnley are stubborn without the ball and there is very little space on offer.

Another injury concern for the home side as Blind is caught by teammate Evans when both attempt to win a header. There's a bit of blood, but he should be fine to continue.

YELLOW CARD! Kightly picks up the first booking of the night for bringing down De Gea as the Argentine looked to lead a counter attack.

Rooney comes to the rescue for the hosts when he tracks back to be the last man before taking the ball off Ings after Kightly had launched a break. The captain doesn't look happy.

Blind has finally come back on after some treatment on a cut as United clear another Burnley corner. Dyche will be very happy with what he's seeing from his side.

Van Gaal should be very concerned. Burnley look threatening every time they come forward, and another promising attack comes down when Kightly fails to slide a ball into the path of Ings. The next goal is going to be crucial at Old Trafford.

It's the pressure from Burnley which seems to be causing problems for United. Januzaj, Rooney and Van Persie have all been hunted down by a couple of players in the last few minutes and it's preventing the hosts from finding their rhythm.

CHANCE! The pace has slowed, but Burnley still look dangerous. Trippier finds more space on the wing before crossing for Barnes, who heads just over the crossbar.

SUBSTITUTION: United are forced into their second change of the match. Blind has attempted to continue, but he comes off to be replaced by Herrera. Interestingly, it looks like Rooney is going to play in an even deeper role.

Ings finds space behind Smalling to collect a hopeful pass forward, but the striker runs out of options in the final third of the pitch. He's been excellent once again this evening. United are finding it difficult to pick him up.

Lovely move from Burnley as they remain patient in possession before sending the ball out to the left wing. A cross comes to Barnes, but he can only fired wide of the target from a tight angle.

Burnley are still pushing forward. You can't be critical of their first-half display, but Dyche will want his side to turn their dominance into a second goal. United have to be better than this after the break.

The fourth official confirms that there will be four minutes added on.

GOAL! MAN UTD 2-1 BURNLEY (SMALLING)

United take the lead for the second time! It's the substitute again as Smalling finds the room to meet a Rooney corner with a firm header. Heaton is unable to keep the ball out and Burnley are behind. It's a cruel blow to the visitors.

HALF TIME: MAN UTD 2-1 BURNLEY

Burnley have been superb, but they are behind and that seems to be the way it goes near the bottom of the table. Chris Smalling, who came on as a sixth-minute substitute, has scored either side of a Danny Ings header to put United ahead. Van Gaal will certainly want to see a better performance after the break.

Dyche finds himself in a difficult position at the break. His side have been excellent, so he won't want to change too much, but they need to turn pressure into clear chances. He'll be expecting a big response from the hosts, who may enjoy the extra space created as Burnley chase the game.


BENCH WATCH: It's unlikely that Dyche will want to change much too soon, but he does have Sam Vokes on the bench if he decides to revisit the Welshman's partnership with Ings.

United have just one substitute remaining, but Van Gaal does have the likes of Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini at his disposal.


Smalling may be an unlikely hero, but is his second goal the turning point in this match?

Chris Smalling of Manchester United scores the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match against Burnley on February 11, 2015© Getty Images


The players are back out at Old Trafford. United will get the game back underway. No changes for either side.

CHANCE! Burnley should be level. They wouldn't have wanted an opportunity to fall to anyone else, but Ings misses. Boyd does well to create the chance for the striker, whose first effort from close range is blocked by De Gea and he is unable to convert from the rebound. Burnley may regret these missed opportunities.

United's defence still look nervy, and that has to be a concern for Van Gaal, who would have had some harsh words for his side at the break. It's a bright start from Burnley.

UPDATE: If the scores stay the same, United will climb to third tonight. Southampton's match with West Ham is currently goalless. Van Gaal's team aren't at their best, but it could be a big night for them.

Rojo is gifted the space to bring the ball forward from the back, but he ignores the options on offer to fire a wild effort wide of the target.

Burnley still look the sharper of the two sides. Januzaj gives the ball away in a good position to frustrate his teammates and supporters once again. It's been too slow from United in the final third of the pitch, but they still hold the advantage.

SAVE! Much better from Januzaj. He shrugs off the challenge of Boyd on a run forward before hitting a deflected effort straight at Heaton. Mee has picked up a yellow card for a late foul on Di Maria.

YELLOW CARD! Rooney loses ground on Ings, and his push on the Burnley forward is punished with a yellow card.

Burnley are still playing some brilliant football. Mee cuts inside to pick out Kightly, whose clever touch creates space for a shot. However, a deflection allows De Gea to collect before the ball travelled out for a corner.

Herrera spots the run of Di Maria with a great pass, but a promising move comes to an end when the Argentine goes down under pressure from Shackell. There's a few appeals for a penalty. The referee is right to ignore the claims.

Great defending from Keane, who has impressed on his return to Old Trafford. Di Maria finds space with a clever piece of skill before delivering an inviting cross towards Falcao, who is beaten to the ball by Keane.

YELLOW CARD! Rooney is furious, but I'm not sure why. Falcao deserves a booking after catching Trippier with his arm while battling for a high ball. United are still being frustrated, despite the scoreline. Arfield has also been booked for bringing down Herrera.

Trippier has been off the field for treatment after that foul from Falcao. Burnley won't want to lose the full back, who has arguably been the best player on the pitch tonight.

There's almost another chance for Barnes as Kightly delivers a cross to the back post, which is only just cut out by De Gea. Good goalkeeping from the Spaniard.

SUBSTITUTION: Van Gaal uses his final change to replace Falcao with James Wilson.

United break in numbers when Rooney wins the ball in midfield. The hosts work the ball out wide to Di Maria, who watches Trippier clear another dangerous cross with a fine defensive header.

There's a worrying moment for Burnley as Mee sends a weak pass back to Heaton, who just manages to beat Wilson to the ball with the clearance. The Clarets are running out of time.

Another corner causes problems for United. Shackell somehow manages to win two headers from the corner, before Kightly sends a deflected effort just wide of the target.

PENALTY! United break quickly from the second corner, and Di Maria sprints into the box before being brought down by Arfield's lazy challenge. Can the hosts wrap up the win?

GOAL! MAN UTD 3-1 BURNLEY (VAN PERSIE)

The victory is safe for the hosts as Van Persie kills of the Burnley challenge with a fine penalty. He's not had a very good night, but the Dutchman has secured the win from 12 yards.

YELLOW CARD! Wilson prevents Burnley from taking a quick free kick and he picks up the booking.

SUBSTITUTION: Di Maria follows Wilson into the book for a late challenge on Kightly, who is then replaced by Sam Vokes.

CHANCE! Superb stop from Heaton as he gets a hand to Di Maria's strike, and Shackell then does well to clear Januzaj's effort off the line. United are finishing strongly.

The fourth official confirms that there will be four minutes of added time.

Burnley just can't find the same chances they were earlier in the game. Dyche's side have tired in the latter stages and United look comfortable now.

FULL TIME: MAN UTD 3-1 BURNLEY

It's all over at Old Trafford. The Burnley fans won't believe it, but they've lost 3-1 to a United side who were not at their best once again. They've won, and that's all that matters tonight. Van Gaal's side climb up to third in the Premier League table thanks to Southampton's goalless draw with West Ham.

That's all from me tonight, but make sure you keep an eye out for analysis and player ratings from all of tonight's Premier League games. Goodnight.

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Phil Jones and Chris Smalling of England during the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Group B match between England and Spain at the Herning Stadium on June 12, 2011
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