Burnley Reserves put up a real fight but lost the battle against a Manchester United side including World Cup hopeful Owen Hargreaves.

The Clarets second string put in a much improved performance from the previous week's five-goal drubbing at Wigan.

But in front of a healthy crowd at Altrincham, welcoming England international Hargreaves back to action for the first time in 18 months, goals in each half form Febian Brandy and Corry Evans saw the league leaders' home.

The closest the Clarets came to finding the target was a thunderous early free kick from Joey Gudjonsson, hit with such venom that it that crashed off the bar and out of the ground!

But with solid performances in many areas, including another assured run-out at centre back from Kevin Long and a welcome return to action for striker Alex MacDonald, there were plenty of positives for Terry Pashley and the coaching team to take.

Gudjonsson's effort was the first real effort of note in the 15^th minute, but United soon grabbed the initiative.

Burnley-born Oliver Norwood fired just too high in the 21^st minute, but within 60 seconds the Reds had the lead.

Norwood's wicked delivery from the right was met by an equally impressive header from Brandy to give Diego Penny no chance.

United stopper Ron-Robert Zieler was quickly off his line to smother Adam Kay's shot soon after and MacDonald saw his 25-yard effort well turned over.

Hargreaves was withdrawn at the interval after his 45-minute cameo. But within 10 minutes of the restart the hosts doubled their advantage.

Ben Hoskin's loose ball was pounced upon in midfield and when sub Nicholas Ajose finally swung over a deep cross after being forced wide, Evans stole in behind Christian Kalvenes at the far post to rifle high into the net.

Jay Rodriquez inadvertently stopped a goalbound Burnley shot through a crowded six-yard box on the line as the Clarets pressed for a way back.

But it took a fine save from Penny to deny Scott Moffat a third for United and, as the clock ticked down on a fourth successive defeat for Burnley, late sub Wes Fletcher's close range effort was cleared off the line.

Burnley: Diego Penny, Curtis Woods, Christian Kalvenes, Ben Hoskin, Kevin Long, Adam Kay, Alex MacDonald (Chris Anderson 58), Joey Gudjonsson (Michael King, 77), Jay Rodriguez (Wes Fletcher 69), Frederic Nimani, Alex-Ray Harvey.

Subs: Daniel MacDonald, Dominic Knowles.

United: Zieler, Brown, Dudgeon (Moffat 67), Evans, Wootton, Gill, Stewart, Possebon (Ajose 46), Brandy, Norwood, Hargreaves (Eikrem 46).

Subs: Devlin