The Mancunian clubs ended the year on a high note. After City’s victory the day before, Manchester United also won three points by winning easily against Burnley (3-1), Thursday, December 30 at Old Trafford, on the 20th day of the championship.
The opening of the scoring was not long in coming. In a very lively start to the match, marked by chances from both teams, Scott McTominay, served by Cristiano Ronaldo, gave the Red Devils the lead in the 8th minute, scoring at the same time his first goal of the season in the league. .
Despite an uncomplicated game from the Clarets against the Mancuniens, the players of Ralf Rangnick doubled the bet twenty minutes later on an unfortunate deviation from Ben Mee (2-0), before Cristiano Ronaldo dirty a little more l addition, making Burnley his 121st victim (3-0).
Encouraged by their supporters who came en masse, the Clarets, whose workforce was mainly made up of substitutes (seven of the starting eleven), reduced the score before half-time thanks to Aaron Lennon (3-1). In a less breathtaking second period, the Red Devils kept up the pressure against a diminished Burnley team.
With this victory, United goes on to a seventh unbeaten game (in all competitions), the last dating back to November 20 (4-1 against Watford). After a less radiant match against Newcastle, the Red Devils are reassured and end the year solidly.
Ralf Rangnick’s players go back to 6th place, a ranking to be taken with a grain of salt however given the large number of matches postponed, and can once again believe in the Big Four. For his part, Burnley, 18th in the championship, will face Leeds on January 2, an important game in the race to maintain.