United rising to Champions League places
THE smile on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s face told the story.
His Manchester United side had finally kept a clean sheet to fashion a victory that catapulted them up to fifth in the Premier League table.
Manchester United now sit just one point behind Chelsea in fourth spot and they have some momentum at last in a stuttering season.
Anthony Martial scored the crucial goal and Marcus Rashford netted in stoppage time, but Solskjaer will be even more pleased with a brilliant save from keeper David de Gea that delivered a first-shut-out for his team in 15 league matches. The game last night was a significant test of United’s aspirations.
It was exactly the type of match an ambitious team must win to sustain a credible challenge for a top-four place among a crowded field of inconsistent contenders.
Solskjaer had said in the build-up that United would “comfortably” finish in the top four – a bold claim from where his team stand halfway through the season.
The top four – and entry to the Champions League – is a possibility, but no more than that, certainly when so few points separate so many clubs from Chelsea and Tottenham to Wolves and Sheffield United – never mind the hopes of resurgence at Everton and Arsenal under new managers. United have been at their best thus far playing on the counterattack. When they have dominated possession, they have struggled to break down wellorganised defences.
Last night,
Solskjaer’s side had 70 per cent of the ball and this time were more creative and threatening.
Rashford stung the fingers of Burnley keeper Nick Pope with a dipping long-range free-kick, and the England striker then struck the post in the 19th minute after a sweeping move from United’s own penalty box. They should have scored just after the half hour, following a period of crisp passing. The eventual stabbed shot from six yards range by Martial was blocked on the line by Phil Bardsley.
A goal seemed inevitable and it arrived just before half-time. It was gift-wrapped by their opponents.
Burnley left-back Charlie Taylor was slow and foolish in possession on the touchline just in front of his manager Sean Dyche (above) fuming in the dug-out. He was robbed by
Andreas Pereira and the home defence was suddenly hopelessly exposed.
One pass put Martial clear in front of goal and the rejuvenated France striker scored with a cool finish.
Dyche’s team have been resilient and relentlessly hard to beat in maintaining Premier League status for several years. But their lack of guile on the ball limits them as a side.
The best chances invariably come from set-pieces and United were well prepared for that here as the home crowd were stilled to periods of silence.
They relish watching top-flight matches at Turf Moor, but will they eventually tire of efficient but relatively dull football – as Stoke fans did a few years ago? It was mostly a stroll for
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