Scorers: Greenwood (48’, 85’); Cavani (93’), Tarkowski (50’)
3 Things from the game:-
- Burnley highlights United weaknesses
The game plan from the start was highlighted 10 seconds into the game as a long ball into the box found Chris Wood who headed the ball home only for the offside flag to come to United’s rescue. Burnley proceed to nullify United by allowing them to come into channels where they were boxing United players to unfavourable 4v2 situations. They kept a solid shape and limit United to shots from far and only got beaten on the few occasion via good individual skills such as Rashford nutmegging Burnley right back Lowton that lead to the opening goal.
Their equalizer that came shortly after via Tarkowski showed the threat Burnley gave United throughout the game where the United’s weak aerial presence were found out. Burnley who are 6 points clear of the dropzone, at the time of writing, should surely be good enough to stay up given how they have made themselves tough to beat.
2. An early change that swung it United’s way.
Ole made a change by taking out Fred for Cavani at half time proved to be the correct decision as he sought to balance the height difference that Untied were facing especially on defence. Fred who had been playing well, clearing up for the sloppy clearances that his team mates made, was the sacrifice as United brought on a focal point. So much has been said of how Rashford and Martial are Ole’s No.9 moving forward, especially with the sale of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan, but on this showing, neither has the guile to be leading United’s attacking line.
Rashford was far more effective on the wings as highlighted by his contribution to the opening goal, skipping past Lowton before sliding a ball across goal that was intelligently dummied by Manchester United’s talisman, Bruno Fernandes for Mason Greenwood to smash home.
The change of Rashford for Donny Van De Beek in the 83’ minute was at a time when United were chasing for a winner, but it proved to be a fantastic change as Van De Beek played key changes in the final third, none so that the third goal that highlighted the smart movement and link up play he provides in the final third.
How United move forward next season would be interesting considering that they have a few problems to solve – the departing no.9 that is a target man who links up play, a lack of a true right winger and a Donny Van De Beek who doesn’t really fit into their system.
3. Mason Greenwood – the natural finisher
Greenwood’s 2 goals highlights that he would be Manchester United’s main man in the future. Both came from the right handside where he had the chance to strike the ball with his favoured left foot. In and around the box, Mason Greenwood is United’s most lethal finisher. What he lacks at the moment as a young striker is the guile that Cavani has shown – to be in the right place, at the right time as well as the hold-up play that Cavani brings. With time, that might come into play, especially if Edison Cavani stays at the club for another season.
United still lack a no.9 that can lead the line, but in Mason Greenwood, they have a striker who knows how to score.
Written by: Baz
