Paul Pogba and Jadon Sancho impressed, but Harry Maguire was poor as Manchester United were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Burnley in the Premier League.
The first half was full of action and drama as Manchester United put the ball into the back of the Burnley net on three occasions, but only one counted. First, it was Raphael Varane who thundered home a brilliant header but saw his effort chalked off as Harry Maguire got involved from an offside position. Minutes later though, Paul Pogba produced a fine side-footed finish to make it 1-0 after some good work by Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw on the left.
Soon after, Josh Brownhill put the ball into his own net in an attempt to stop Rashford’s cutback, but the goal was not given as Pogba was adjudged to have committed a foul in the lead-up. Edinson Cavani, starting ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, then had a great chance to double the Red Devils’ lead, but his header from point-blank range was saved brilliantly by Nick Pope.
Come second half, Burnley showed a lot more purpose and desire, and within three minutes after the restart, they were back on level terms with Jay Rodriguez producing a lovely dinked finish after leaving Maguire dead in his tracks. The Clarets could have doubled their tally not long after, but Wout Weghorst’s powerful effort from distance was saved by David de Gea.
At the other end, Manchester United did not muster up enough threat. Substitute Ronaldo did have a glorious opportunity to level things up, but he sent his header over the bar as the two teams ended up sharing the spoils at Turf Moor.
It was yet another disappointing outcome for Ralf Rangnick’s men, who were held by the team at the bottom of the league. With West Ham prevailing in their contest against Watford, Manchester United slipped to fifth place in the Premier League table. Here are our player ratings for the Red Devils’ stars.
Manchester United
David de Gea: 6/10
The Spaniard hardly had anything to do for most of the game, but could not stop Rodriguez from ending his clean-sheet record at Turf Moor. However, de Gea came up with a clutch stop to keep Weghorst out at 1-1.
Diogo Dalot: 6/10
The Portuguese right-back was not troubled much defensively by Maxwel Cornet on the night. He got forward on occasion and showed good intent while almost creating a chance for Bruno Fernandes. However, as the game progressed, he could have given a bit more in the attacking sense.
Raphael Varane: 6.5/10
The Frenchman found the back of the net with a thumping header in the 12th minute but was unfortunate to see it get chalked off due to his defensive partner. Varane also coped well with things at the back but was again let down by his fellow centre-back.
Harry Maguire: 3/10
If Rangnick’s first intervention when he goes upstairs is to sell Maguire then he’d be a success. Maguire is absolutely miles away from being a serious defender for a supposed big team. He’s an absolute calamity.
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) February 8, 2022
Poor and sloppy. The Manchester United captain blocked Rodriguez off from an offside position which led to Varane’s goal getting ruled out. Maguire then was beaten way too easily by the former Southampton man for the equaliser. He was also booked for a clumsy foul on Weghorst. Abysmal and needs to be axed.
Luke Shaw: 6.5/10
The England international was a constant outlet down the left in the first half and produced a lovely cutback to assist Pogba for the goal. He hit in a few more dangerous crosses. But Shaw was guilty of playing Rodriguez onside for the equaliser while his influence going forward also reduced after the break.
Paul Pogba: 7/10
Making his first Premier League start in four months, Pogba had an impressive first period when he was at the hub of many good things Manchester United did. The Frenchman even got his first goal of the season with a precise finish. However, like Shaw, he also drifted out in the latter stages of the game.
Not the result we wanted, but happy to be back on the scoresheet again ? #MUFC pic.twitter.com/LXqnVufpaT
— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) February 8, 2022
Scott McTominay: 5/10
Not good enough from the Scotsman, who did not look entirely comfortable sitting at the base of the midfield. The first half was not a problem as Burnley sat back, allowing him to keep things ticking along, but the midfielder could have been more progressive with his passes. But the complexion changed after the game as they started to harry him, from which point he was all over the place.
Marcus Rashford: 6/10
The Player to Watch in our match preview, Rashford was a lively presence in attack at Turf Moor. He drew a save from Nick Pope and played a neat pass to Shaw in the buildup to Pogba’s strike. His cutback also forced the own-goal which did not stand, while he again stung the palms of the Burnley keeper before half-time. There were moments when his decision-making could have been better, however.
Bruno Fernandes: 6/10
Bruno Fernandes produced a fine cross for Varane to head in, but the goal was ruled out. He then started the move for Pogba’s goal with a pass for Rashford to run onto. While one or two moments brought hope, the Portuguese was largely subdued in the second half.
Jadon Sancho: 7/10
Jadon Sancho played 29/32 passes in the final-third vs. Burnley, more than any other player on the pitch. pic.twitter.com/4WI5OvwDDU
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 8, 2022
The summer signing continued from where he left off against Middlesbrough as his pace and trickery caused all sorts of problems for the Burnley right-back, Connor Roberts. Sancho got into some dangerous positions and played three key passes. One of the positives for United on a disappointing night.
Edinson Cavani: 4/10
Getting the nod ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, the Uruguayan never got into the game at Turf Moor and hardly did anything of note apart from the moment when his header from two yards out was stopped by Pope. He made way for Ronaldo.
SUBSTITUTES
Cristiano Ronaldo: 4/10
He replaced Cavani in the 68th minute and hardly fared any better than the Uruguayan. The Portuguese maverick missed a good chance when he headed over the bar.
Jesse Lingard: N/A
On for McTominay for the final ten minutes. Lingard made no impact.
Anthony Elanga: N/A
Replaced Rashford in the 85th minute. The young Swede did not do much of note.
