An organised Burnley team ran out 2-0 winners at Old Trafford last night which saw them win at the ground for the first time since 1962.
It was also the Clarets first victory over Manchester United since 2009 when they won 1-0 at Turf Moor during their first season in the Premier League.
The warning signs had been there for the Red Devils, last season they were 2-0 down against Burnley at home when a late penalty from Paul Pogba and a last-minute equaliser from Victor Lindelof saved them from defeat.
The year before they found themselves 2-0 down at half time only to be saved by a second-half brace from Jesse Lingard.
This year’s encounter followed the same script 2-0 down at home to Burnley, albeit without the heroic ending.
“The players are giving everything, they have done absolutely fantastic so far this season but they know it wasn’t good enough tonight. The boys looked mentally tired towards the end, we didn’t find that creativity. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. When you are at Man United you are privileged because you are playing for the best club in the world. Sometimes you go through periods like that and it is a test I am sure they are going to come through.” (Ole Gunnar Solskjaer)
How did it all go wrong for United last night? They had the bulk of possession, 72% to be exact. This was to be expected as Burnley sat deep and allowed United to come at them. They had 24 shots but only seven on target.
Burnley’s defence never really looked stretched and although Nick Pope made seven saves none of them stick out as memorable.
The atmosphere at the ground certainly turned. A feeling of optimism that the side could put their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool behind them and take a huge step forward, after Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal, in their pursuit of the top four was present at kick-off.
When a straight ball in from a free-kick was flicked on by Ben Mee leading the ball to fall to Chris Wood that began to change. The goal came seven minutes before half time after United had dominated play but failed to make a dent in Burnley’s defence.
Before Wood’s goal chances for Juan Mata and Anthony Martial had come and gone but there was a real lack of punch in United’s forward play.
At the start of the second half, Mason Greenwood joined the action. It lifted the crowd as the prospect has scored some good goals and turned in some great performances of late.
The hope that the youngster brought was dispelled 11 minutes into the second half when Jay Rodriguez hit a stunning strike into United’s goal.
The atmosphere had well and truly turned. It became hostile. Chants towards the owners, the Glazer family, and Ed Woodward went around the ground. United’s lack of attacking intent added fuel to the fire.
“I can’t defend this. What has been invested? t’s an embarrassment. People at the top need to look and see this and make changes, put a plan in place that people can sit there and see where we are going now. I don’t see it.” (Rio Ferdinand)
It was a nightmare for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the start of a run of fixtures which could define his time in charge.
Up next for the Reds is a tricky away tie in the cup against the winner of the replay between Tranmere Rovers and Watford. Then comes the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City where United need a miracle to overturn a 3-1 home defeat.
A home game against Wolves and an away day at Chelsea follow in the league before they travel to Belgium to take on Club Brugge in the Europa League.
“Alarm bells are ringing. I don’t think he is going to last beyond the end of the season. I know people are saying he should be given more time but this is Manchester United, it is a massive football club.” (Martin Keown)
If results go against the United manager and the performances do not improve in this period it is hard to make a case for him to stay in the job.
