IT’S TURF AT THE TOP!
United knock Liverpool off the summit thanks to a wonder goal from Pogba
THE second coming of Paul Pogba at Manchester United has not gone according to plan or either party.
Pog b a a n d h i s a g e n t ’s att empts to extricate him from his second spell at Old Trafford have caused dismay among United fans, while the midfielder has f al l en well short of expectations.
But last night, United’s club re cord £ 89million si nging scored a stunning goal to send the Reds top of the table for the first time in two- and- ahalf years, ahead of weekend opponents Liverpool. When he is on his game, as he was here at Turf Moor, there are f e w more a c c o mpli s h e d players than Pogba, who ran t he game and won i t f or United.
So often accused of laziness, it was Pogba who won the header that led to the winner, before applying a stunning voll eyed f i ni sh to Marcus Rashford’s cross.
Although United were last top after winning the f irst game of the 2018- 19 season, the last time they rose to first place was December 2012, when Sir Alex Ferguson led them to their 20th league title, before stepping down. Since t h e n , t h e y h a v e f l i t t e d between second and seventh i n t he t abl e, l acking t he consistency to put together g a title challenge – until now.
O n w h a t w a s always going to be a tough night for Ole
Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, it was United d who conjured the first irst chance, after some patient build- up play, i n the 18th minute.
Luke Shaw’s ball across the edge of the Burnley area was p i c k e d u p b y B r u n o Fernandes, but his shot had littl e conviction and went straight at Nick Pope. Six minutes later and it was the turn of the hosts to threaten. Fernandes l ost possession c h e a p l y t o A s h l e y W Westwood, who fed the t ball to Ashley B Barnes. He played a c l e v e r l ay - of f t o Chris Wood, who s t e a d i e d h i ms e l f b e f o r e e xe c ut i n g a goalbound shot, which was blocked by Eric Bailly who f lung himself at the ball.
Those chances seemed to open up the game, Anthony Martial getting sight of the Burnley goal moments later
from Nemanja Matic’s pass, only to screw his effort high a n d w i d e . T h e r e w a s controversy in the 27th minute, when a reckless challenge from Shaw ( left) left Johann Gudmundsson writhing in agony on the ground.
Referee Kevin Friend waved play on, Fernandes f inding Edinson Cavani with a long b a l l , t h e Uni t e d s t r i k e r scythed down as by Robbie Brady as he surged towards the Burnley goal.
United expected a red card f or Brady – subsequently shown a yellow – and a freekick in a dangerous position. Instead, Friend was directed, by VAR, to assess a possible red card offence committed by Shaw with the challenge on Gudmundsson.
After reviewing the pitchside monitor, Friend rescinded t h e y e l l o w c a r d h e h a d awarded Brady and cautioned Shaw, much to the dismay of United.
The Reds suffered further f r u s t r a t i o n w h e n Ha r r y Maguire scored with a fine angled header, but saw the goal chalked off for climbing on Erik Pieters – a decision that looked decidedly soft.
Martial tried his luck from long- range just before halftime, Pope pulling off fine save at full- stretch to turn the ball behind for a corner, as the half ended goalless.
United threatened seven minutes after the restart, a f l owing move st ar t ed by David De Gea and involving Pogba and Martial , ending with Cavani scuffing the ball to Pope.
Cavani then curled the ball wide as United pushed for the g o a l t h e i r d o m i n a n c e deserved.
It duly came with Pogba’s sublime finish, with United leading arch- rivals Liverpool by three points heading into Sunday ’s sei smic cl ash at Anfield.