Clarets sink United and leave bitter taste at OT
Could do little to stop the goals from Chris Wood or Jay Rodriguez either side of half-time.
United’s best player. Could and should have claimed an assist but his team-mates’ finishing let him down.
Was performing reasonably well until he needlessly conceded the free-kick Burnley scored from.
Lax for both goals. Has the character to be a United captain but, on recent form, is struggling for the quality.
Game enough from the start but was unable to distinguish himself in attack and was brought off.
Outjumped by Ben Mee for the first header that fell to Wood and did little to get United going.
Should be bossing these games but fell short. Another subdued performance after a promising game at Anfield.
Squandered an excellent chance from cross at 0-0. Switched to playmaker but couldn’t effect game.
Started as the playmaker and was brighter in possession but was moved to the left wing before being subbed.
Lucky to start and maybe did so out of necessity. No visible signs of improvement, looked like Championship winger.
Went down injured early on but carried on. Wasted an excellent opening at 0-0 and looked bereft without Rashford again.
SUBSTITUTES
MASON GREENWOOD: (Pereira, 45) Tried to get a goal. 6
JESSE LINGARD: (James, 69) No impact. 4 LUKE SHAW: (Williams, 69) Netted but it was disallowed. 5
NOT USED: Dailly, Dalot, Romero, Gomes ‘WE want United back,’ was the defiant demand.
The Glazer siblings did not have to be at Old Trafford to hear the impassioned opposition to their ownership. The United supporters’ pleas for a return of the old United fall on deaf ears in Tampa.
‘Stand up if you hate Glazers’ spread around Old Trafford like wildfire and the vast majority stood. Green and gold scarves swirled in the icy air. Unlike that vibrant movement which began almost 10 years ago to the day, United do not have a figurehead to unify the club like Sir Alex Ferguson did.
Ferguson was last night well within earshot to hear the songs about the Americans he staunchly defended and hailed as ‘brilliant owners.’ It is too late for Ferguson, powerless in his ambassadorial role, to make a stand.
He was 20 the previous occasion Burnley defeated United at Old Trafford.
Burnley had threatened this. They have led 2-0 at Old Trafford three seasons running and still not suffered a domestic double against United in the Premier League era.
Now they have their first victory at the ground since 1962.
Hope sprung for United with a second-half free-kick and possible red card check by the Video Assistant Review. The initial yellow stood and Juan
Mata curled the ball harmlessly over. The running of United is the problem but the manager is also a problem. Solskjaer appeared dormant, almost resigned.
For much of the game he was rooted to his seat. The broadcasters unforgivably homed in on his forlorn face after each goal. He looks lost.
Nights like this suggest Solskjaer is not the man to manage United.
In seven of the last eight times fourth-placed Chelsea have dropped points, so have United.
They could have gone to within three points of fourth but just seem destined for the Europa League again next season – and United are Europa League level. This was the grimmest evening yet for Solskjaer and Woodward – vilified again by those standing in the Stretford End and several supporters en route to the ground.
The sinister chant that now accommodates his name and those of his paymasters took off less than 30 minutes in.
Then Burnley struck. Nemanja Matic and Harry Maguire, perhaps the two tallest outfield starters for United, were found wanting from another set-piece that Chris Wood adroitly finished in the 39th minute. Whoever is marking who, United are prey for the set-piece predators and have conceded nine now this season.
Maguire, slow to track Wood, may have the character of a club captain but not the quality.
Woodward was not visible in the directors’ box but Matt Judge, the head of corporate development tasked with negotiating transfers, was.
The stagnation was so striking the United XI consisted of signings made by five different managers, dating back eight-and-a-half years.
There were some boos at half-time and full-time.
Even if United were to yield and meet Sporting Lisbon’s valuation of Bruno Fernandes or pull off an extravagant loan deal for a washed-up marquee name, the acts would merely be of appeasement.
They needed to be proactive and are pondering.
Real Madrid have already secured the Brazilian Reinier Jesus ahead of next season.
United have failed to score in five of