Manchester United picked up a vital three points at Turf Moor against a Burnley side feeling the effects of their European exploits.
Jose Mourinho’s side started brightly and almost got off to a dream start when Jesse Lingard curled wide of the far post from inside the penalty area after just three minutes.
Luke Shaw also tried his luck moments later but Clarets goalkeeper Joe Hart made a comfortable save to deny the defender’s low effort from distance.
After surviving a difficult opening 10-minute spell, Sean Dyche’s side grew into the game and enjoyed decent spells of possession. However, David De Gea had little to do in the first half as the hosts lacked quality in the final third.
United took the lead after 27 minutes when Romelu Lukaku headed home from close range following a dangerous delivery from Alexis Sanchez. Hart perhaps could have done better, opting to stay on his line rather than coming out to deal with the cross.
Lukaku caused Burnley countless problems throughout the game and came close to scoring his second after 36 minutes when he tried to chip the onrushing Hart after getting in behind the home side’s defence, but the goalkeeper got a strong hand to the ball.
A 1-0 score at half time seemed inevitable but the visitors struck a sucker punch after 44 minutes when Lukaku poked home from close range after a fortunate deflection from Lingard’s initial effort that was blocked by Charlie Taylor.
The second goal seemed to motivate the hosts who got off to a more positive start in the second half, while United seemed content with sitting back and looking to attack on the break.
Spanish international De Gea made a routine save at his near post from Chris Wood’s goal-bound header after 63 minutes, and Hart made another smart save to deny Shaw’s powerful strike moments later.
Substitute Marcus Rashford won a penalty in after 69 minutes after drawing a foul from Aaron Lennon, but Hart made another fine save to deny Paul Pogba’s driven penalty that seemed destined for the bottom corner.
Rashford’s short but eventful spell came to an end shortly afterward when he was sent off following an altercation with Phil Bardsley, which lifted Turf Moor as the Burnley supporters sensed an opportunity to get something from the game.
Sam Vokes failed to keep down his header following another inviting delivery from McNeil after 75 minutes, and Lukaku went down under a challenge from Ben Mee after rounding Hart moments later, but John Moss decided not to award a second penalty of the game.
Vokes again went close when he forced De Gea into making a smart save above his head before substitute Matej Vydra nodded over moments later in the first minute of stoppage time, the home side’s best chance pf the game.
Hart capped an impressive individual performance with a final save on the verge of full time, denying Ander Herrera’s effort from inside the area following a quick counter attack.
United have now won two of their opening four Premier League games, while Burnley are winless following a disappointing start to the season.
Man of the Match: Despite questions over his role in the opening goal, Joe Hart made several fine saves and kept his side in the game at times.
