FRIENDLY REPORT: MANCHESTER UNITED 3-1 BURNLEY

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Clarets enjoy useful workout against high-class United side

2021-08-17T14:16:02.539Z

FRIENDLY REPORT: MANCHESTER UNITED 3-1 BURNLEY

Clarets enjoy useful workout against high-class United side

2021-08-17T14:16:02.539Z

Clarets enjoy useful workout against high-class United side

The Clarets gave a valuable run-out to a handful of senior players in a friendly against a Manchester United line-up full of first-teamers at Old Trafford.

Aaron Lennon also featured for the Clarets and scored Burnley’s goal in a 3-1 defeat as the ex-England man continues to train with Sean Dyche’s squad.

The Burnley boss also saw defenders Phil Bardsley, Nathan Collins and Erik Pieters complete 90 minutes, along with frontman Ashley Barnes.

And Matej Vydra and Wayne Hennessey also started as the Clarets topped up the match fitness of those who didn’t start Saturday’s Premier League opener against Brighton.

United included a number of players who had figured in their 5-1 opening-day victory over Leeds United, including captain Harry Maguire.

And the England international was instrumental in United’s equaliser.

Lennon had put the Clarets ahead after 10 minutes when he ran onto a Vydra pass to calmly slot the ball past former Burnley skipper Tom Heaton, claiming the first Old Trafford goal of his prolific top-flight career.

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However, the lead lasted less than five minutes before Maguire’s header from a Juan Mata corner flew in via a touch off Anthony Martial.

And United quickly went ahead when Martial turned provider to tee up Jesse Lingard for a first-time finish with 20 minutes gone.

The Clarets were under pressure as United created further openings for Martial and Lingard.

But with the senior men helping the youngsters around them – including teenage midfielder Mark Helm on his return to his former club – the visitors, being led by first-team coach Steve Stone, responded well.

Vydra was thwarted by Heaton with a chance to level before the break but 10 minutes into the second half United extended their lead when a skidding shot from Fred hit the inside of a post before bouncing in off the back of substitute keeper Will Norris as he dived to his left.

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United then made eight changes on the hour – including the introduction of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood and Luke Shaw.

Inevitably with that kind of firepower there would be further chances and Norris saved from Greenwood at his near post before Bardsley – back where he started his career – made a remarkable goalline clearance to stop Fernandes adding to his weekend hat-trick.

The Clarets weren’t overwhelmed, though, as they dug in and might have pulled a goal back before the end.

Barnes tested Heaton with a long-range effort as the striker made the most of his extended game time before the weekend trip to Liverpool.

And then in the final minute of an excellent work-out, substitute Owen Dodgson had a chance to score against the club where he started as a schoolboy but from Lennon’s fine cross, couldn’t find the power to beat Matej Kovar.

Burnley: Hennessey (Norris HT); Bardsley, Collins, Thomas, Pieters; Lennon, Helm, Gomez-Mancini (Tucker 77), Glennon (Dodgson 60); Barnes, Vydra (Harker 55).