Martial strike sees Manchester United edge past Burnley
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Updated 20/01/2018 at 18:38 GMT
Premier League, Turf Moor – Burnley 0 Manchester United 1 (Martial 54)
Martial - Bunrley-Manchester United - Premier league 2017/2018 - Getty Images
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Anthony Martial scored a stunning goal as Manchester United defeated Burnley 1-0 after an unconvincing display.
Jose Mourinho’s side were crying out for a creative spark like Alexis Sanchez in the front half after a toothless performance where they created few chances of note as the Clarets defended resolutely.
After failing to have a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes, the visitors did not improve much in the second half. But they were saved by a moment of magic from Martial who rifled the ball in off the underside of the bar after brilliant work from Romelu Lukaku.
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Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United and Anthony Martial of Manchester United.
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Sean Dyche’s side responded well to going behind and hit the crossbar, but were unable to find an equaliser despite bringing on Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, Sam Vokes and Nahki Wells late on.
The result sees United remain second in the Premier League table while Burnley slip to eighth.
TALKING POINT - Where does Alexis Sanchez fit in if he completes his move to United?
Juan Mata will perhaps be the most concerned as he had a disappointing game and has been inconsistent this season. Martial has scored in his last three league games while Lingard has also been in good goal-scoring form.
So Mourinho may use the Chilean instead of Mata to support Lukaku, who was starved of service against the Clarets.
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Cork, Lingard - Bunrley-Manchester United - Premier league 2017/2018 - Getty Images
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MAN OF THE MATCH - Ben Mee (Burnley)
There has been talk of a future England call-up for the defender and he continued his form this season with an impressive display. The 28-year-old handled the threat of Lukaku well with the Belgian having zero service and he produced a string of last-ditch blocks to deny Pogba and Lingard.
PLAYER RATINGS
- BURNLEY: Pope 6, Bardsley 6, Tarkowski 6, Mee 8, Taylor 5, Arfield 5, Cork 5, Hendrick 6, Defour 5, Gundmundsson 7, Barnes 7. Subs: Nkoudou n/a, Vokes n/a, Wells n/a
- MANCHESTER UNITED: De Gea 6, Valencia 5, Smalling 6, Jones 7, Young 6, Matic 5, Pogba 5, Mata 4, Lingard 5, Martial 8, Lukaku 7. Subs: Fellaini 5, Rashford n/a, Herrera n/a.
KEY MOMENTS:
- 42’ - YOUNG CHANCE! From a tight angle, Young beats two players before curling a shot from a tight angle that whistles just wide. United's first shot on goal.
- 54' - GOAL FOR UNITED! Lukaku does brilliantly to thread the ball through for Martial, who lashed the ball into the roof of the net off the underside of the bar from around 12 yards out.
- 57’ - CLOSE! Burnley have a free-kick in a good area after Barnes is brought down by Mata. Gundmundsson's effort hits the top of the crossbar which had De Gea scrambling.
- 70’ – CLOSE! From the free-kick Mee's looping header is tipped over the bar by De Gea. The set-piece is flicked on for Mee who heads it across goal but Lukaku clears.
- 88’ – MARTIAL CHANCE! The Frenchman drives forward and his fierce drive at the near post is parried by Pope.
KEY STATS
- Man Utd have won back to back league games at Turf Moor for the first time since May 1963.
- Man Utd have won five of their last six away Premier League games (D1) after winning just two of the 10 prior to this run (D4 L4).
- 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 (D10 L14).
- Anthony Martial has scored in three consecutive Premier League appearances for Man Utd for the first time, after failing net in each of his previous six beforehand.
- Romelu Lukaku has had a hand in four goals in five Premier League starts against Burnley (two goals, two assists).
- This was Sean Dyche’s 100th Premier League game in charge – Dyche has faced Jose Mourinho six times without victory, no manager has he faced more often without winning in the competition (level with Mauricio Pochettino).
- David de Gea has kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper in Europe’s big five leagues this season (14).
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