The World Cup has ended and there’s barely any time to catch our breath because the Red Devils resumed their domestic season today with a 2-0 win over Championship-side Burnley in the League Cup Round of 16. A number of players for United were not quite available yet due to recovering from the World Cup, so there was quite a bit of rotation for manager Erik ten Hag. Meanwhile, Burnley manager Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany was looking for his team to continue their good form before the break and pull a shock upset of United at Old Trafford.
This match was fairly open throughout, and it was obvious that United were missing some key pieces in midfield and defense. However, this is the League Cup. It simply does not have the gravitas and importance as the other trophies United will play for this season, so it’s probably a good thing that players like Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, and Harry Maguire did not play. This did lead to a shortage at center back for ETH though, so defensive midfielder Casemiro was deployed next to Victor Lindelof in central defense. Reserve keeper Martin Dubravka also found himself starting over usual keeper David De Gea.
There was a good tempo to the game, and Burnley had the first chance in the opening minutes. United steadied themselves though and eventually were in the lead on 27 minutes when midfielder Bruno Fernandes found the run of right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka towards the end line. AWB did very well to get on the end of the aerial pass and hit it back across goal with one touch, where the ball found the run of midfielder Christian Eriksen. Eriksen side-footed a shot into the roof of the Burnley net, with keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell (what a name!) having no chance at saving it. A very fine goal by the lads in red indeed! No rust or lack of chemistry there. Three touches and it was in the back of the net! Well done to AWB in particular for timing his run and getting on the end of the pass from Bruno.
United had created some good chances up until that point, but Burnley were doing fairly well themselves. They put together some more fine attacking moves in response to the goal, but they couldn’t quite finish them off. Dubravka was contributing to Burnley’s positive response, unfortunately. He was caught on the ball on more than one occasion, and that led to some very nervy moments indeed. Burnley’s finishing was questionable, but so was Dubravka’s keeping. Still though, at halftime it was 1-0 and all was there to play for.
The second half continued to be very open, with both sides pushing men forward when the opportunity presented itself. However, it was United who would strike for the second time on 57 minutes via winger/forward Marcus Rashford. Rashford, fresh off his World Cup campaign where he scored three goals for England, picked up the ball just inside his own half after being fed by Scott McTominay. Rashford saw space ahead of him so he took off running with the ball at his feet, and none of the Burnley defenders could get near him without conceding a foul. He used his lightning quick pace to dribble into the right side of the area, before darting between two defenders and lashing a low shot towards goal. He was aiming for the far corner, and his shot dipped in for 2-0 even with The Peacock diving for it. A goal of a different sort than the first one, but it still counts all the same. Rashford showed he will have no problems getting back to business for United, despite the break.
Burnley’s best chance came late on when striker Ashley Barnes flashed the ball wide of Dubravka’s post after a bad giveaway by Casemiro. It was a mistake by United, but Burnley again failed to capitalize. Dubravka also had some more questionable decisions in the second half and was almost caught out again more than once. United defenders even had to clear the ball off the goal-line at one point. It was good covering in the end, but Dubravka had easily the shakiest clean sheet I have seen in some time today. He kept the ball out and at the end of the day that’s all he has to do, but it was nervy indeed.
The final whistle blew and United qualified for the quarterfinals of the League Cup, with ETH able to make subs late on with the intent of re-acclimating the players to club football. A very good game from Rashford, AWB, Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Martial, and Bruno. A very questionable game from Dubravka and even McTominay, who struggled to consistently stay in the game despite his assist to Rashford. Casemiro was mostly dominant while deputizing at center back, but he did make the error that almost led to Burnley scoring. Getting more players back as the month of December closes out will be important. Very happy to see Martial play in a match and not get injured during it, but another striker is still needed in January to finish off the chances we create. No more Cristiano Ronaldo, after all.
The Premier League resumes for United next Tuesday, when they play newly-promoted Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on December 27th.
Glory Glory Man United!
4-4-2 