MANCHESTER // Don't let the scoreline fool you - Manchester United may have ruined Brian Laws's first match in charge of Burnley but the late glut of goals masked an otherwise lacklustre display.
Laws succeeded Owen Coyle as Burnley manager this week and he can be proud of his new players, if a little perturbed by their profligacy in front of goal. His new side wasted two glorious chances to open the scoring at Old Trafford and were punished by three goals in the second half.
Dimitar Berbatov and Wayne Rooney netted in quick succession before Senegalese striker Mame Biram Diouf scored in injury time on his home United debut.
"I thought the scoreline may have been a little unfair, but not unjust," said Sir Alex Ferguson afterwards. "We made so many chances, it was ridiculous. To not punish them would have been quite incredible. I am really pleased for Diouf - we're really excited about him."
The full extent of United's precarious financial state was laid bare this week, with accounts showing the club owe in excess of £700million (Dh4.2bn). The unpopular Glazer family remain as unwelcome at Old Trafford as Manchester City's Carlos Tevez but the owners are unfazed by the staunch criticisms of their ownership.
It has been a season of uncertai-nty on and off the pitch for United. The spectre of Cristiano Ronaldo still stalks the club while Tevez, once adored at Old Trafford, is enjoying an impressive season at United's bitter rivals City.
Ferguson's men spent four days in Doha this week to escape the freezing weather in England - and the were still in holiday mode against Burnley early on. Their leading scorer Steven Fletcher should have opened the scoring on seven minutes but he screwed his shot wide.
David Nugent came close to putting Burnley ahead on 56 minutes but fired his shot wide too. He was made to pay for his miss by Berbatov, whose delicate shot eight minutes later beat Brian Jensen.
Rooney then found space to tuck home a second and substitute Diouf looped a header over Jensen to add gloss to the scoreline in injury time. But with Chelsea seemingly back to their best in their 7-2 mauling of Sunderland, United will have to step up a level to retain their Premier League title.
Laws praised his players fight, saying: "The scoreline does not reflect the effort we put in. Our fans were incredible as well. I couldn't have asked for any more."
sports@thenational.ae
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
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