Marcus Rashford wasted no time readjusting to club business after his World Cup campaign with England as he scored a fine solo goal in Manchester United’s EFL Cup win over Burnley at Old Trafford.
Rashford was one of five United players serving in Qatar to form part of manager Erik ten Hag’s starting line-up.
And after one, Christian Eriksen, put the hosts ahead just before the half-hour mark with a fine first time after Aaron Wan-Bissaka provided his first assist since May 2021, Rashford took the front of the scene 12 minutes into the second period.
Given too much space as the Burnley defense retreated, Rashford started running 10 yards into his own half and only stopped after sprinting into the box, rushing between Jack Cork and Jordan Beyer and scored his ninth goal of the season in the back. corner.
It was enough for United to claim just their second home win in 90 minutes in this competition in five years.
It was also a positive way to start a new era without Cristiano Ronaldo, whose high-profile exit was ignored by home fans, unlike United’s other major World Cup storyline, a potential sale by the family. Glazer, as supporters sang familiar songs. demanding the exit of their American owners.
Can Martial replace Ronaldo?
With Ronaldo now relegated to Old Trafford historyAnthony Martial has the chance to show he can be the effective number nine that Ten Hag thinks he is capable of.
Firstly, the Frenchman must stay in shape. Then he must do more than produce fleeting glimpses of his talent.
Martial made an exceptional save from Bailey Peacock-Farrell after twisting and turning inside the Burnley area to create space when it looked like there was none. The shot seemed destined for the top corner but Peacock-Farrell had other ideas, much to Martial’s annoyance.
Although he was abused at times, there was some familiarity with the way the striker drifted in and out of the game, although his intelligence in racing off the ball which created space for Rashford to exploit for his purpose. did not go unnoticed by his teammate.
Martial didn’t look too impressed to be substituted but with so many games to come his fitness can’t be put at risk.
With Casemiro playing in central defense following Harry Maguire’s withdrawal through illness, there was a misunderstanding of the United team.
But their victory keeps them with a chance to end their five-year wait for a trophy as early as February and, against opponents leading the way leading the championship and on the pace after playing twice after their own World Cup restart, Ten Hag will consider it a job well done.
Former City Kompany skipper is now a Burnley man
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany has avoided any talk of Manchester City over the tie.
The Belgian was keen to stress that he is very much a Burnley man now ahead of his first game as manager against a Premier League club, even though as a player he enjoyed so much success at Old Trafford, including including a 2-0 victory on his last visit in April 2019 which helped the Blues win the Premier League title and that famous 6-1 success in October 2011.
Burnley play a positive brand of football, in which Manuel Benson is particularly effective, although the Belgian’s evening was to end disappointingly early on through injury.
The 25-year-old pulled off an excellent save from Martin Dubravka, setting off a chain of events that saw Casemiro snag his own line as Burnley looked set to take advantage of some erratic holding from the United States man , who also managed to get it wrong. controlling a routine back pass which, had it had more pace, would have led to an embarrassing equaliser.
But Burnley lacked the class to really bother their hosts. Ian Maatsen and Johann Gudmundsson both missed chances for the Clarets late on, although Ashley Barnes was the biggest culprit when he fired in from six yards as the away fans were already cheering a goal.
Kompany received plaudits from the traveling support at the end and despite suffering their third defeat since arriving at Turf Moor, know there are still plenty of important games to come, against less demanding opponents.
