• BURNLEY RATINGS: Nick Pope, 7 – Burnley’s trusted shot-stopper was a spectator for the opening 15 minutes but produced a hatful of stops thereafter, and he showed good hands to hold Bruno Fernandes’ first-time strike before denying Anthony Martial with a super save shortly before the break. Getty
    BURNLEY RATINGS: Nick Pope, 7 – Burnley’s trusted shot-stopper was a spectator for the opening 15 minutes but produced a hatful of stops thereafter, and he showed good hands to hold Bruno Fernandes’ first-time strike before denying Anthony Martial with a super save shortly before the break. Getty
  • Matthew Lowton, 6 – The defender seemed in peril when he was caught one on one with Martial and again when his poor clearance fell straight to Cavani but he somehow came through both occasions unscathed, only to later divert Pogba’s volley past Nick Pope. EPA
    Matthew Lowton, 6 – The defender seemed in peril when he was caught one on one with Martial and again when his poor clearance fell straight to Cavani but he somehow came through both occasions unscathed, only to later divert Pogba’s volley past Nick Pope. EPA
  • James Tarkowski, 7 - Kept his side in the game with a superb piece of defending to thwart Martial, but he couldn’t make it count at the other end as he scuffed an awkward effort into the ground after United failed to clear Dwight McNeill’s cross. EPA
    James Tarkowski, 7 - Kept his side in the game with a superb piece of defending to thwart Martial, but he couldn’t make it count at the other end as he scuffed an awkward effort into the ground after United failed to clear Dwight McNeill’s cross. EPA
  • Ben Mee, 6 - The Burnley skipper’s eyes lit up when the ball dropped invitingly on the edge of the area but he blasted into the stand, while he was thankful for VAR after completely misjudging a bouncing ball that unleashed Edinson Cavani. AP
    Ben Mee, 6 - The Burnley skipper’s eyes lit up when the ball dropped invitingly on the edge of the area but he blasted into the stand, while he was thankful for VAR after completely misjudging a bouncing ball that unleashed Edinson Cavani. AP
  • Erik Pieters, 5 - He was thankful to hear Kevin Friend blast on the whistle after Harry Maguire outjumped him to head in the opener, only for the referee to chalk off the goal for a foul, but he failed to stop the supply from the left too often and ultimately paid the price. AFP
    Erik Pieters, 5 - He was thankful to hear Kevin Friend blast on the whistle after Harry Maguire outjumped him to head in the opener, only for the referee to chalk off the goal for a foul, but he failed to stop the supply from the left too often and ultimately paid the price. AFP
  • Johann Berg Gudmundsson, 5 - The man from the land of fire and ice will have definitely needed the latter at the break after finding himself on the receiving end of a late challenge from Luke Shaw, which turned out to be his most memorable involvement. EPA
    Johann Berg Gudmundsson, 5 - The man from the land of fire and ice will have definitely needed the latter at the break after finding himself on the receiving end of a late challenge from Luke Shaw, which turned out to be his most memorable involvement. EPA
  • Josh Brownhill, 5 – Sean Dyche recalled the midfielder to his starting XI after he missed out at MK Dons, but he struggled to stamp his authority in the middle as the visitors gradually turned the screw and curled his best effort away from goal late in the second half. EPA
    Josh Brownhill, 5 – Sean Dyche recalled the midfielder to his starting XI after he missed out at MK Dons, but he struggled to stamp his authority in the middle as the visitors gradually turned the screw and curled his best effort away from goal late in the second half. EPA
  • Ashley Westwood, 6 - Caused problems in the box with an excellent front-post delivery from a corner, but beyond that he was relatively quiet, though he wasn’t helped by two tricky customers in Fernandes and Pogba and saw yellow for clipping the former. Reuters
    Ashley Westwood, 6 - Caused problems in the box with an excellent front-post delivery from a corner, but beyond that he was relatively quiet, though he wasn’t helped by two tricky customers in Fernandes and Pogba and saw yellow for clipping the former. Reuters
  • Robbie Brady, 6 - A lively start from Irishman who blasted his first attempt over within just 15 seconds. He was a handful from set pieces, but was lucky not to be reprimanded for hauling down Cavani with VAR penalising Luke Shaw instead. EPA
    Robbie Brady, 6 - A lively start from Irishman who blasted his first attempt over within just 15 seconds. He was a handful from set pieces, but was lucky not to be reprimanded for hauling down Cavani with VAR penalising Luke Shaw instead. EPA
  • Chris Wood, 7 - Like Ashley Barnes, the visitors struggled to deal with his physicality and flick-ons in the opening exchanges and the New Zealander was inches from netting the opener when his goal-bound effort was deflected agonisingly over by Eric Bailly. Reuters
    Chris Wood, 7 - Like Ashley Barnes, the visitors struggled to deal with his physicality and flick-ons in the opening exchanges and the New Zealander was inches from netting the opener when his goal-bound effort was deflected agonisingly over by Eric Bailly. Reuters
  • Ashley Barnes, 6 – His CV is far from glamorous, but the forward has proved himself a Premier League frontman in recent years and was a real nuisance for the United back four early on, outmuscling Aaron Wan-Bissaka inside 10 seconds to create the first chance. AP
    Ashley Barnes, 6 – His CV is far from glamorous, but the forward has proved himself a Premier League frontman in recent years and was a real nuisance for the United back four early on, outmuscling Aaron Wan-Bissaka inside 10 seconds to create the first chance. AP
  • SUBS: Dwight McNeil, 7 - A first appearance of 2021 for the winger following a groin problem. He replaced Robbie Brady in the 65th minute and dragged Burnley through the gears with an energetic display. Matej Vydra, N/R - Replaced Chris Wood for the final ten minutes. He wasn’t too far away from nicking the equaliser either, smashing his first effort into the side netting before blasting over seconds later. Jay Rodriguez, N/R - Brought on for Ashley Barnes and Dyche rolled the dice again late on, but he had little time to make an impact. Getty
    SUBS: Dwight McNeil, 7 - A first appearance of 2021 for the winger following a groin problem. He replaced Robbie Brady in the 65th minute and dragged Burnley through the gears with an energetic display. Matej Vydra, N/R - Replaced Chris Wood for the final ten minutes. He wasn’t too far away from nicking the equaliser either, smashing his first effort into the side netting before blasting over seconds later. Jay Rodriguez, N/R - Brought on for Ashley Barnes and Dyche rolled the dice again late on, but he had little time to make an impact. Getty
  • MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea, 6 - Quiet night against in-form Burnley. Well protected by his defence when needed and by his players who reduced their number of free-kicks – and thus the Clarets’ greatest threat. Reuters
    MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea, 6 - Quiet night against in-form Burnley. Well protected by his defence when needed and by his players who reduced their number of free-kicks – and thus the Clarets’ greatest threat. Reuters
  • Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Wan-Bissaka, 6 - Targeted from the off by Burnley’s diagonal balls towards the back post. Held out, but it was a worrying watch and concerning that he’s perceived as a weakness. Reuters
    Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Wan-Bissaka, 6 - Targeted from the off by Burnley’s diagonal balls towards the back post. Held out, but it was a worrying watch and concerning that he’s perceived as a weakness. Reuters
  • Eric Bailly, 7 - Comfortable alongside Maguire as he started his fourth straight PL game. Blocked a shot after losing ball after 21 minutes, but perfect to counter Burnley’s style and another solid performance. EPA
    Eric Bailly, 7 - Comfortable alongside Maguire as he started his fourth straight PL game. Blocked a shot after losing ball after 21 minutes, but perfect to counter Burnley’s style and another solid performance. EPA
  • Harry Maguire, 7 - Another busy night for the United captain. Had to be alert with early high balls then scored a brilliant header at the other end to put the ball in the net. He felt the foul was harshly given. Kept the VAR machine busy as he escaped a possible handball late on. Reuters
    Harry Maguire, 7 - Another busy night for the United captain. Had to be alert with early high balls then scored a brilliant header at the other end to put the ball in the net. He felt the foul was harshly given. Kept the VAR machine busy as he escaped a possible handball late on. Reuters
  • Luke Shaw, 7 - Booked after winning ball in first half but following through too hard. Went in hard to challenge for a late header and was floored. Another positive performance for a player who is becoming important to his team. AP
    Luke Shaw, 7 - Booked after winning ball in first half but following through too hard. Went in hard to challenge for a late header and was floored. Another positive performance for a player who is becoming important to his team. AP
  • Nemanja Matic, 7 - Big presence needed in the middle against Burnley’s physical threat. Stable all night as the midfield anchor and his foil Pogba allowed to move forward more. AP
    Nemanja Matic, 7 - Big presence needed in the middle against Burnley’s physical threat. Stable all night as the midfield anchor and his foil Pogba allowed to move forward more. AP
  • Paul Pogba, 8 - Improved as game went on with runs forward carrying the ball. Found Martial to set up Cavani, but his piece de resistance was his half volley to give United the lead. Didn’t stop there with a superb pass in a tight area to Martial after 82 minutes. More touches and passes than any other player. Won headers in midfield, broke play up. Man of the match. AP
    Paul Pogba, 8 - Improved as game went on with runs forward carrying the ball. Found Martial to set up Cavani, but his piece de resistance was his half volley to give United the lead. Didn’t stop there with a superb pass in a tight area to Martial after 82 minutes. More touches and passes than any other player. Won headers in midfield, broke play up. Man of the match. AP
  • Marcus Rashford, 6 - On the right but couldn’t add to his six goals in seven away games this season. Too many attacks broke down with the Mancunian, but set up Pogba with a splendid cross to put United ahead after 70 minutes. AP
    Marcus Rashford, 6 - On the right but couldn’t add to his six goals in seven away games this season. Too many attacks broke down with the Mancunian, but set up Pogba with a splendid cross to put United ahead after 70 minutes. AP
  • Bruno Fernandes, 7 - A creative grafter with non-stop attacking intent, but also adept getting back to recover. Booked for moaning, but the United player most likely to shoot on goal, he one to lift his teammates when they go flat in matches. A winner. AFP
    Bruno Fernandes, 7 - A creative grafter with non-stop attacking intent, but also adept getting back to recover. Booked for moaning, but the United player most likely to shoot on goal, he one to lift his teammates when they go flat in matches. A winner. AFP
  • Anthony Martial, 6 - Scored in each of last three visits to Turf Moor and lively, if not clinical, again. Shot wide on 25 minutes after being one-on-one with defender Lowton. Spectacular shot before half time. Switched to left late on and passed on a fine chance at end. Limped off. PA
    Anthony Martial, 6 - Scored in each of last three visits to Turf Moor and lively, if not clinical, again. Shot wide on 25 minutes after being one-on-one with defender Lowton. Spectacular shot before half time. Switched to left late on and passed on a fine chance at end. Limped off. PA
  • Edinson Cavani, 6 - Frustrated in the first half after a red card foul against him – which didn’t count because of Shaw’s earlier foul. Hooked a chance wide after 67 minutes. Still to score in a league game that he’s started but worth his start. AP
    Edinson Cavani, 6 - Frustrated in the first half after a red card foul against him – which didn’t count because of Shaw’s earlier foul. Hooked a chance wide after 67 minutes. Still to score in a league game that he’s started but worth his start. AP
  • SUBS: Mason Greenwood, 6 - On for Rashford with ten minutes to play. Getty
    SUBS: Mason Greenwood, 6 - On for Rashford with ten minutes to play. Getty
  • Scott McTominay, N/A - On for Fernandes after 88 minutes. AFP
    Scott McTominay, N/A - On for Fernandes after 88 minutes. AFP
  • Axel Tuanzebe, N/A - On for Martial after 94 minutes. EPA
    Axel Tuanzebe, N/A - On for Martial after 94 minutes. EPA

Football

Mee 6, Barnes 6; Pogba 8, Fernandes 7: Burnley v Manchester United player ratings

United go top of the Premier League for the first time in three years

Andy Mitten
Liam Wheeler
Barcelona and Manchester

January 13, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Paul Pogba said he is "always happy" when he is winning after scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory at Burnley that took Manchester United top of the Premier League for the first time in three years.

Despite continued speculation over his future, Pogba has played an increasingly important role in recent weeks to aid United's first serious title challenge since former manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side now lead defending champions Liverpool by three points ahead of a top-of-the-table clash between the two most successful sides in English football history at Anfield on Sunday.

"I'm always happy when I win," said Pogba, who has been consistently linked with a move away from Old Trafford at the end of the season.

"I'm happy we are playing well and happy we are at the top, but there is a long way to go and we have big games coming up."

United have now taken 29 from the last possible 33 points to recover from just two wins in their opening six games of the season.

The signing of Bruno Fernandes shortly after Burnley won 2-0 at Old Trafford nearly a year ago in the last meeting between the sides has transformed United's fortunes.

And if Pogba can finally produce consistent displays worthy of the then world record fee United paid for the Frenchman in 2016, there is reason for Solskjaer to believe he can end the club's eight-year wait for a league title.

"I've always said Paul is a big, big player for us," added Solskjaer. "He is a good character in the dressing room, he is always one the lads look to (because) he's a world champion.

"We are seeing the best of Paul at the moment. He's getting better and better every game."

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe on the picture.

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