Manchester United progressed to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, courtesy of a 2-0 win over Burnley at Old Trafford.
It wasn’t a vintage display from the Red Devils, perhaps unsurprising given it was United’s first game after the World Cup and several key names were missing, which resulted in a match of few clear-cut chances. Both of the Red Devils’ goals came from players who represented their countries in Qatar, with Christian Eriksen scoring in the first half, before Marcus Rashford netted an exquisite solo goal after the break.
It was a quiet opening to the game with Alejandro Garnacho producing the only meaningful scoring opportunity of the first 10 minutes. The young winger should have reacted quicker when slipped the ball by Bruno Fernandes, but the one-on-one chance was kept out by the feet of Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
Yet the hosts converted their next real chance, with Eriksen netting after 27 minutes. It was Fernandes again pulling the strings in midfield and his crossfield pass found Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the touchline. The defender, starting his first match of the season, did excellently to slide in and meet the ball, while simultaneously managing to square it to the waiting Eriksen, who tapped home from just a few yards.
Burnley responded well to the setback, with Manuel Benson registering two dangerous efforts - the first fizzed into the side netting before a second forced a good stop from Martin Dubravka. Soon after, Anthony Martial turned and shot in the box, with Peacock-Farrell producing an impressive save to deny United’s no.9.
It was a relatively even first half but the Red Devils exerted greater control after the break and grabbed a second goal via Rashford on 57 minutes. The England international picked the ball up just inside his own half and drove at Jordan Beyer, who was tied in knots by the United attacker. After skipping past the German, Rashford fired hard and low into the bottom corner past a frustrated Peacock-Farrell.
Burnley did respond with a chance from substitute Darko Churlinov who tapped wide with the outside of his foot after a fantastic, defence-splitting pass from Johann Gudmundsson. Ashley Barnes then registered a double chance when he shot wide on two occasions, the second of which he should have at least hit the target.
The latter stages yielded few chances with United relatively comfortable, although Peacock-Farrell did have to keep out a strike from Antony.
Here’s how we rated the players...
1. Martin Dubravka- 4
Didn’t have much to do, but flapped at a first-half cross and embarrassingly allowed a backpass to slip under his foot soon after. He also fluffed a kick in the final few minutes. Thankfully for the goalkeeper, none of the mistakes resulted in a goal, and he did well to close down Churlinov for his chance in the second period.
2. Aaron Wan-Bissaka- 7 (off 72)
Impressed in the first half but his performance levels dropped after the break, unsurprisingly given the right-back’s lack of minutes this season. Unusually for Wan-Bissaka, he looked good offensively but had a few moments when he switched off at the back.
3. Casemiro- 6
Had a few shaky moments at the back for United and nearly gifted Barnes a goal in the latter stages, although his passing was good.
4. Victor Lindelof- 7
Gave a commanding display at the back and was rarely troubled by Barnes. Lindelof’s passing was on point and he performed well in defence.