Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Football. Show all posts

May 31, 2017

International Friendly: Nigeria Super Eagles Play Togo Team Tomorrow

International Friendly: Nigeria Super Eagles Play Togo Team Tomorrow

Manchester City wonder kid Kelechi Iheanacho has re-joined the Super Eagles at their get-together in the French capital, ahead of tomorrow’s international friendly against Togo.

NFF already announced nineteen players are in camp, including Iheanacho, for the friendly against the Sparrow Hawks at the Stade Municipal Saint-Leu-la-Forêt in Paris.

The Super Eagles have not lost to Togo since they were defeated 5-2 in the semifinal of the CEDEAO Cup on December 16, 1983. We wish them best of luck!

May 30, 2017

FOOTBALL: Wenger verbally agrees new two-year contract to stay at Arsenal

FOOTBALL: Wenger verbally agrees new two-year contract to stay at Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has verbally agreed a new two-year contract to remain Arsenal manager until at least 2019, extending his extraordinary tenure at the club into a 23rd year.

The deal has been offered by majority owner Stan Kroenke and, while subject to formal ratification at a board meeting on Tuesday lunchtime, Wenger’s continuation as manager is now regarded as a formality.

As revealed by The Telegraph ahead of the final Premier League game of the season against Everton, Wenger paved the way for staying after being reassured that changes proposed to the sporting structure by chief executive Ivan Gazidis would not impact on his core decision making.
An official announcement will be made on Wednesday when Wenger and Kroenke are expected to outline their vision and determination to make Arsenal again challenge to win the Premier League.

Gazidis has been looking at candidates for a new sporting director/operations role to coordinate and streamline the work around Wenger on issues ranging from scouting and medicine to youth development and analytics.

Wenger has been told that his core powers – coaching, picking the team and directing the transfer strategy – will not be affected but has been sensitive about the parameters of change and also did not want any of his core staff to leave against his will.

Kroenke has spent time with Wenger since Saturday’s FA Cup final win and his backing for the Frenchman remains absolute. The Cup final was never going to be decisive in Kroenke’s decision and, while there is a desire now to address what went so wrong in February and March this year, the overall context of three FA Cup wins in four years and Premier League positions of fourth, fourth, second and fifth in that time were also taken into account.

FOOTBALL: FC Barcelona confirm Ernesto Valverde as new coach

Barcelona confirm Ernesto Valverde as new coach

Ernesto Valverde is the new FC Barcelona coach, the Catalan club confirmed on its website, after days of speculation.

The 53 year old former Barça player replaces Luis Enrique, who was coach for three seasons.

Valverde,  previously Athletic Club Bilbao coach,  will be presented on Thursday,  along with his assistant Jon Aspiazu and former blaugrana José Antonio Pozanco who will be the fitness coach.

The FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said:  “Today I have spoken personally with Valverde and he is happy and excited about the challenge of coaching Barça.”

“Valverde has the ability, the knowledge and the experience. He promotes players from the youth teams and he has a style and a way of working like ours. He has a philosophy of the game that is very Barça and he is a hard worker. Also, he is passionate about applying technology to both training and matches.”

This will be Ernesto Valverde’s second spell at the Club, his first coming as a player between 1988 and 1990. The new Barça coach won the European Cup Winners’ Cup and the Copa del Rey in his two seasons as part of Johan Cruyff’s squad, playing 29 games and scoring 10 goals in official competition.

As a coach Valverde has a wealth of experience in Spain and abroad. He has had two spells as coach at both Athletic Club Bilbao and Greek team Olympiacos as well as having coached at Espanyol, Villarreal and Valencia. In his career he has helped his teams to no less than six trophies, five with Olympiacos and one with Athletic Club.

May 28, 2017

Barcelona star Lionel Messi gives Manager a perfect send off

Barcelona star Lionel Messi gives Manager a perfect send off

Barcelona star Lionel Messi was inspired as team beat Alaves to secure the Copa del Rey for the third year running and give coach Luis Enrique a winning send-off.

Enrique is leaving after three years in charge at the Nou Camp.

READ THIS ALSO: No Comparision between Lionel Messi and Cristano Ronaldo say Sir Alex Ferguson

Ibai Gomez hit the post for Alaves before Messi scored his 54th goal of the season with a 20-yard curler.

Theo Hernandez bent in a free-kick to equalise, but Neymar turned in from close range and then Messi played in Paco Alcacer right on half-time.

Arsene Wenger now the most successful manager in the history of the FA Cup after beating Chelsea

Arsenal wenger most successful

It is call for celebration! Arsenal won the FA Cup for a record 13th time in a thrilling final by defeating 10-man Chelsea Saturday evening. The result means Arsene Wenger is now the most successful manager in the competition's history with seven victories.

The Gunners took the lead in the fifth minute through Alexis Sanchez, but the linesman had his flag up for Aaron Ramsey, who was stood in an offside position.

Ramsey did not touch the ball, allowing Sanchez to run through and slot in. And as expected, Arsenal fans are already on social media tweeting with the hashtag #WengerIn

Arsenal won their 13th FA cup; The Action (Photos)



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Arsenal won the FA Cup for a record 13th time and eased the disappointment of missing out on next season's Champions League by beating 10-man Chelsea in a gripping final.

Aaron Ramsey scored the winner at Wembley - three years after doing so against Hull to win the competition for manager Arsene Wenger.

It meant an upbeat end to the campaign for the Frenchman, who afterwards refused to say whether he would manage the club beyond the end of his contract, which expires in June.

Who stood out as the Gunners won? BBC Sport's Chris Bevan marks the players. The Action Photos
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Check out as it happened; source

May 26, 2017

Cristiano Ronaldo official makes relationship with girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez on Instagram

Cristiano-and-girlfriend

Real madrid star, Cristiano Ronaldo and girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez have finally made their relationship Instagram official.

Almost a year after meeting, the footballer shared a rare snap of them cuddling up to one another while at home.

READ: I Never Raped A Woman, Neither Did I Give Her £300k, Ronaldo Fires Back

The 32-year-old smiling star simply captioned the picture with a heart.

In the sweet shot, brunette Georgina is wearing a yellow mini dress, while the Real Madrid player is dressed casually in grey tracksuit bottoms and a white T-shirt as he places his hand on her tummy.
A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) on

May 24, 2017

Final Score: AJAX 0 vs. MANCHESTER UNITED 2

Live Score: Europa League Final - AJAX vs. MANCHESTER UNITED
Get live updates and scores on the Europa League final between Ajax and Manchester United.

Get Full Time score here: AJAX vs MANCHESTER UNITED 

Manchester Arena Attack: Chelsea Cancel Sunday's Premier League Title Parade


Chelsea Cancel Sunday's Premier League Title Parade Following Manchester Arena Attack

Chelsea Football Club have cancelled their Premier League victory parade which was scheduled for Sunday 28th May, 2017 after terror attack hit Manchester Arena last 24 hours .

The Premier League champions were due to show off their trophy in an open-top bus on Sunday, the day after they face Arsenal in the FA Cup final, but are now cancelling the event over security concerns in the wake of the Manchester Arena attack.

ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON AND AFTERMATH MANCHESTER ATTACK

The club said in a statement that they feel it would be 'inappropriate' for the celebration to take place as they offered their 'heartfelt condolences' to those affected by Monday night's attack.

Chelsea's players will also wear black armbands in Saturday's FA Cup final and the club will make a donation to a fund supporting the victims.

May 21, 2017

FOOTBALL NEWS: Dutch player retires from professional football

FOOTBALL NEWS: Dutch player retires from professional football

Former Holland striker, Dirk Kuyt has announced his retirement from professional football after an amazing 19-year career that saw him play top class football for clubs in England and Turkey.
36-year-old Kuyt made the announcement after leading Feyenoord to their first Dutch Eredivisie title in 18 years. He'll now move into a role with the club’s technical management team.
Kuyt in an announcement on Feyenoord’s official website said, “throughout my career, I have always followed my heart when taking decisions and that goes for this one too. To me, this feels like the right time to retire. I have had two fantastic years here since returning to Feyenoord, with this season’s title as the absolute pinnacle. I had the dream of winning trophies and becoming a champion with Feyenoord. All my dreams have come true.”

Kuyt started his career at Utrecht, where he won the Dutch Cup before moving to Feyenoord in 2003. After being the top scorer in his first three seasons with the Rotterdam club, Kuyt moved to English Premier League giants Liverpool in 2006. He scored 71 goals in 285 appearances during his six seasons with the Reds, leading them to an English League Cup title in 2012. Then he had a three-year spell with Fenerbahce, where he won the Turkish Super Lig, Turkish Cup, and Turkish Super Cup titles. He returned to Feyenoord in 2015 and won a second Dutch Cup winners medal before leading the club to the Dutch league title this season.

May 19, 2017

FOOTBALL: Hector Bellerin named in Spain squad for European U21 Championships despite Arsene Wenger complaints

Hector Bellerin named in Spain squad for European U21 Championships despite Arsene Wenger complaints

Hector Bellerin has been named in Spain's squad for this summer's European Under-21 Championships, despite calls from Arsene Wenger for the right-back to skip the tournament.

Arsenal's manager is desperate for Bellerin, who has featured in 40 of Arsenal 's 50 games this season, to rest up over the off-season but it now seems he will not get his wish.

"It's not ideal after a long season," Wenger said when asked about Bellerin travelling with Spain Under-21s.

"He should have a rest and prepare for next season. The Spanish players love to play for their country and I think he will go as he loves to play for Spain."

Speaking last month, Bellerin said of this summer's competition: “I really want to play. Representing Spain is very important. If [Spain Under 21 manager Alert] Celades gives me the chance I'll be there.

“Those are opinions of the managers. I have to keep working. The truth is that I had a difficult injury but I think that I am at 100 per cent now and I'll try to prove it when I get the chance.”

The tournament gets underway on June 16 and runs until June 30.
Spain U21 squad

Goalkeepers: Kepa, Paul Lopez, Blanco.

Defenders: Jonny, Yeray, Grimaldo, Mere, Odriozola, Vallejo, Gaya, Bellerin.

Midfielders: Merino, Oyarzabal, Llorente, Niguez, Carlos Soler, Ceballos, Asensio, Suarez, Deulofeu.

Forwards: Williams, Sandro, Mayoral.

May 11, 2017

Marouane Fellaini fires Manchester United into Europa League final

Marouane Fellaini fires Red Devils into Europa League final

United went into the semi-final second leg against Celta Vigo one-goal up thanks to Marcus Rashford’s strike in Spain.

And the scorer turned provider at Old Trafford 16 minutes in when he whipped in a delightful cross from deep for the big Belgian to power in with his head.

But Celta’s Facundo Roncaglia hauled his team back into the tie with an 85th minute header.

Marouane Fellaini fires Red Devils into Europa League final

United managed to hold on but were devastated to lose Eric Bailly to a straight red card with just moments to go – meaning he now misses the final.

The centre-back completely lost his cool and lashed out grabbing former City player John Guidetti by the neck.

Marouane Fellaini fires Red Devils into Europa League final
Bailly’s over-the-top reaction saw visitors’ scorer Roncaglia retaliate and also earn himself a sending off.

May 09, 2017

Newly Elected CAF President Rejects Salary

Ahmad, CAF President

The new Confederation of African Football (Caf) President, Ahmad, says he has refused to accept a salary from African football's governing body.

His election in March ended Cameroonian Issa Hayatou's 29-year reign.

"I've refused a Caf salary for the simple reason it doesn't respect good administration," he told BBC Sport.

"The salaries of all Caf employees, from administrators to the executive committee and president, all have to be transparent."

The 57-year-old from Madagascar held his first senior Caf meetings on Monday ahead of the Fifa Congress on Thursday 11 May.

Key among the topics being discussed are how to reform Caf.

May 04, 2017

Rashford put Manchester United a leg closer to final with a goal against Celta Vigo


He booked Manchester United’s place in the last four of the Europa League with an extra-time winner in the previous round and, on Thursday night, Marcus Rashford went one better when he edged the Reds a step closer to the final with a sublime free-kick to seal a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo.

United’s no.19 netted the 19th goal of his fledging Reds career – and his first outside the box - after curling home on 67 minutes. While the semi-final tie is far from over, leaving Spain with an away goal and a clean sheet is just the tonic needed ahead of next Thursday’s second leg at Old Trafford, with a place in Stockholm looming large.

Jose Mourinho welcomed back fit-again Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini, who is serving a domestic ban, to his midfield, while Eric Bailly started in defence despite limping out of the previous game against Swansea City. Sergio Romero kept his place in goal after starting both legs of the quarter-final.

For Celta Vigo, the match represented one of the biggest occasions in their history. It was the club’s first-ever experience of a European semi-final and going off the amount of statues, monuments and buildings adorned with Celta shirts, scarves and flags around town, it wasn’t just a huge night for the football team, but the city as a whole.

And it was the hosts who had the first opening of the night, 11 minutes in. Nemanja Radoja sent an inviting cross into the box where Daniel Wass found himself unmarked but he couldn’t direct his header on target.

Thereafter followed three excellent opportunities for United to steal a march in the tie and snatch a vital away goal, but, in Sergio Alvarez, the Reds found yet another goalkeeper in inspired form. After flinging himself high to his left to fingertip away a brilliant curling effort from Rashford, he then saved well from Henrikh Mkhitaryan who was put clear by the increasingly influential Pogba, 10 minutes from the break.

Four minutes later Jesse Lingard, who earlier was unlucky not to make contact with a Mkhitaryan cross which would have been a tap-in, saw an effort saved at close range as Alvarez continued to keep Mourinho’s men at bay.

HALF-TIME STATS
Possession: Celta Vigo 53% United 47%
Shots: Celta Vigo 5 United 4
Shots on target: Celta Vigo 1 United 4
Corners: Celta Vigo 1 United 1

Having dominated the latter part of the first half, United breathed a sigh of relief early in the second after a couple of decent openings for the hosts. First, Wass glanced a header just wide of Romero’s far post although the Argentinian did appear to have it covered. The United keeper was then forced into a brilliant stop from a deflected and dipping Pione Sisto shot from the edge of the box with Romero acrobatically tipping it over his bar as Estadio de Balaidos threatened to explode.

On 67 minutes, it was a little pocket of fans decked out in red that raised the decibel level as Rashford made his mark. And how. After winning a free-kick 25 yards out, it appeared Daley Blind would take the set-piece, but Rashford surprised Celta and stepped up to curl in a quite superb right-footed effort into the far corner. Cue delirious scenes high in the corner of the stadium in the away end which was saluted by Mourinho as he pumped his fist on the touchline in celebration.

Wass guided a volley off target six minutes later before Lingard lashed a half-volley wide soon after. They proved to be the last of the opportunities as United held firm to take home an excellent result. The Reds will know it could have been more, but Rashford has ensured part one of the job is complete with Mourinho's men just 90 minutes away from a first Europa League final. Roll on next Thursday.

FULL-TIME STATS
Possession: Celta Vigo 58% United 42%
Shots: Celta Vigo 9 United 10
Shots on target: Celta Vigo 2 United 5
Corners: Celta Vigo 4 United 4

Barcelona superstar Neymar ordered to stand trial for fraud in Spanish court following transfer from Santos

Barcelona superstar Neymar ordered to stand trial for fraud in Spanish court following transfer from Santos
NEYMAR has been ordered to stand trial after being accused of fraud over transfer from Santos to Barcelona in 2013.

However, if convicted, it unlikely he will serve any time in prison as, under Spanish law, sentences of two years and under in length can be suspended.

The Brazilian superstar’s Barcelona team-mates at the Nou Camp, Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano, were both sentenced to time in jail — of 21 and 12 months respectively — after they were both found guilty of tax fraud.
Barcelona superstar Neymar ordered to stand trial for fraud in Spanish court following transfer from Santos
However, they were suspended and the result saw neither of them have to serve any time behind bars.

Though, should they be found guilty again, that sentence will come into effect.

Messi was convicted in July this year, along with his father, Jorge Messi, and was sentenced to 21 months in prison.

Neither have spent any time in jail, though, as both their sentences were suspended.
Barcelona superstar Neymar ordered to stand trial for fraud in Spanish court following transfer from Santos

Neymar has already paid £36m after he was found guilty of tax evasion by a Brazilian court.

He was found to have failed to pay the tax due on his earnings from contracts with former club Santos, Barcelona and Nike from 2011 until 2013.

The five-time Ballon d’Or-winner has been ordered to pay £1.3million in fines for three counts of tax fraud and his father was forced to shell out £1.1m.

May 03, 2017

Aaron Lennon's celebrity pals rally round footballer after he is detained in hospital

Everton-v-Crystal-Palace-Aaron Lennon arrives

Premier league footballer Aaron Lennon was detained under the Mental Health Act on Sunday - and his celebrity pals have rallied around him.

The 30 year old has been playing football since 16 and joined Tottenham in 2005 for £1million. - and is a good pal of TOWIE stars past and present.

Football fans may not know that Lauren Goodger is a close associate of Aaron and ITV stars have been said to be expressing their support during his hospital.
PAY-Tottenham-Hotspur-Players-Faces-Nightclub

Aaron was spotted in Marbella with Lauren Goodger in 2012 and was known to socialise with TOWIE stars back in their heyday/

The pair got close during a pool party at celeb favourite haunt the Buddha Bar.

The young footballer was pictured checking her out as she stood beside him.

And Lauren had the "best day" partying with the footballer and his friends.

"Had best day of my life!! Drinking dancing on beds! The end was the best diving n bein thrown in the pool who cares about hair n make up lol (sic)," she tweeted at the time
Lauren-Goodger-bikini-selfies
Lauren Goodger was seen at a pool party with Aaron 

Maria-Fowler
Maria Fowler made a beeline for Aaron 

April 23, 2017

Manchester United crushed Burnley to cruise on top

Manchester United crushed Burnley to cruise on top

Manchester United comfortably defeated Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor to close the gap on top-four rivals Manchester City to just one point with the derby up next for Jose Mourinho's men.

First-half goals from Anthony Martial and the returning Wayne Rooney bagged United the three points and intensified Thursday's now crucial meeting of the local adversaries.

Jose Mourinho made eight changes to his United line-up that defeated Anderlecht in extra-time in midweek with captain Rooney starting a Premier League game for the first time since early March in place of the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Martial leading the line ahead of the rested Marcus Rashford.

United came into this game looking to gain revenge for the frustrating goalless draw at Old Trafford back in October which led Sean Dyche to declare United were "the best side we've played against this season."

Burnley on the other hand boast the highest points tally by a promoted team since Charlton Athletic in 2000/01 and have the sixth best home record in the division, so the Reds knew it would be no mean feat to break down a stubborn Clarets defence.

United have the division's best points per game average in away matches though and it took just eight minutes for the first glimpse at goal as Martial slid the ball back to Ander Herrera in the box and he found Rooney, but the United captain's effort was blocked and saved by ex-Reds goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

A few minutes later, Marouane Fellaini climbed highest to head at Heaton following a corner, whilst at the other end Jeff Hendrick did well to evade United right-back Ashley Young, but his dangerous cross was blocked and Ben Mee headed the resulting corner onto the roof of the net.

United broke the deadlock on 21 minutes in clinical fashion and it was a move started and finished by Martial. The Frenchman won the ball in the Burnley half and in a matter of seconds it was in the Burnley net as a blistering counter-attack had the visitors' no.11 driving forward and laying the ball off to Herrera, who then squared it back for the 21-year-old to slot past Heaton.

The game quietened down following the opener with the hosts having only the odd attacking surge led by the dangerous Andre Gray. United on the other hand were controlling the game and doubled the lead six minutes before the break.

Martial latched onto Paul Pogba's pass down the left. His shot was blocked by Heaton, but the ball rebounded to Rooney who slotted it through Michael Keane's legs and clearly over the goal-line without the need for technology to aid referee Anthony Taylor.

At the other end Gray had a deflected shot blocked in the box as the hosts looked to hit back instantly, but United defended well and deservedly led at the break.

HALF-TIMEManchester United comfortably defeated Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor to close the gap on top-four rivals Manchester City to just one point with the derby up next for Jose Mourinho's men.


First-half goals from Anthony Martial and the returning Wayne Rooney bagged United the three points and intensified Thursday's now crucial meeting of the local adversaries.

Jose Mourinho made eight changes to his United line-up that defeated Anderlecht in extra-time in midweek with captain Rooney starting a Premier League game for the first time since early March in place of the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Martial leading the line ahead of the rested Marcus Rashford.

United came into this game looking to gain revenge for the frustrating goalless draw at Old Trafford back in October which led Sean Dyche to declare United were "the best side we've played against this season."

Burnley on the other hand boast the highest points tally by a promoted team since Charlton Athletic in 2000/01 and have the sixth best home record in the division, so the Reds knew it would be no mean feat to break down a stubborn Clarets defence.

United have the division's best points per game average in away matches though and it took just eight minutes for the first glimpse at goal as Martial slid the ball back to Ander Herrera in the box and he found Rooney, but the United captain's effort was blocked and saved by ex-Reds goalkeeper Tom Heaton.

A few minutes later, Marouane Fellaini climbed highest to head at Heaton following a corner, whilst at the other end Jeff Hendrick did well to evade United right-back Ashley Young, but his dangerous cross was blocked and Ben Mee headed the resulting corner onto the roof of the net.

United broke the deadlock on 21 minutes in clinical fashion and it was a move started and finished by Martial. The Frenchman won the ball in the Burnley half and in a matter of seconds it was in the Burnley net as a blistering counter-attack had the visitors' no.11 driving forward and laying the ball off to Herrera, who then squared it back for the 21-year-old to slot past Heaton.

The game quietened down following the opener with the hosts having only the odd attacking surge led by the dangerous Andre Gray. United on the other hand were controlling the game and doubled the lead six minutes before the break.

Martial latched onto Paul Pogba's pass down the left. His shot was blocked by Heaton, but the ball rebounded to Rooney who slotted it through Michael Keane's legs and clearly over the goal-line without the need for technology to aid referee Anthony Taylor.

At the other end Gray had a deflected shot blocked in the box as the hosts looked to hit back instantly, but United defended well and deservedly led at the break.

HALF-TIME STATS
Possession: Burnley 46% United 54%
Shots at goal: Burnley 4 United 8
Shots on target: Burnley 0 United 5
Corners: Burnley 2 United 2

The second half started as the first one had ended, with United in control. The Reds, playing in white today, were well on top and Pogba tried his luck from 30 yards, which Heaton did well to save down low.

Martial was looking dangerous and was linking up well with Rooney. The latter was unlucky not to have a couple of clear-cut chances to double his tally for the afternoon.

First the ball ran away from him following a Martial pass when he would have been one-on-one with Heaton, before the second opening had the United skipper slipping at the vital moment when being played in by Jesse Lingard.

The hosts began to push for a route back into the game, but Daley Blind and Eric Bailly were looking solid for United at the back, resulting in Burnley failing to muster a shot on target all game.

Reds substitute Marcus Rashford darted through the Clarets defence after replacing Lingard and when Heaton hesitated, the young prodigy had the chance to score for the third consecutive Premier League game, but he fired wide from a narrow angle when the chip may have been the better option.

Pogba tried his luck from 25 yards late on with a shot which crept inches wide, but it didn't matter as the Reds stretched the unbeaten run to 23 league games. Next up - a certain Manchester derby.

FULL-TIME STATS
Possession: Burnley 46% United 54%
Shots at goal: Burnley 7 United 12
Shots on target: Burnley 0 United 6
Corners: Burnley 3 United 3

THE TEAMS

Burnley: Heaton, Lowton, Keane, Mee (Tarkowski 45), Ward, Boyd (Gudmundsson 62), Barton, Hendrick, Brady, Gray, Barnes (Agyei 75). Subs not used: Pope, Flanagan, Westwood, Defour.

Booked: Lowton, Hendrick.

United: De Gea, Darmian, Bailly, Blind, Young, Herrera, Fellaini, Pogba (Carrick 88), Lingard (Rashford 69), Rooney, Martial (Mkhitaryan 78). Subs not used: Romero, Fosu-Mensah, Tuanzebe, Shaw.Booked: Rooney. STATS
Possession: Burnley 46% United 54%
Shots at goal: Burnley 4 United 8
Shots on target: Burnley 0 United 5
Corners: Burnley 2 United 2

The second half started as the first one had ended, with United in control. The Reds, playing in white today, were well on top and Pogba tried his luck from 30 yards, which Heaton did well to save down low.

Martial was looking dangerous and was linking up well with Rooney. The latter was unlucky not to have a couple of clear-cut chances to double his tally for the afternoon.

First the ball ran away from him following a Martial pass when he would have been one-on-one with Heaton, before the second opening had the United skipper slipping at the vital moment when being played in by Jesse Lingard.

The hosts began to push for a route back into the game, but Daley Blind and Eric Bailly were looking solid for United at the back, resulting in Burnley failing to muster a shot on target all game.

Reds substitute Marcus Rashford darted through the Clarets defence after replacing Lingard and when Heaton hesitated, the young prodigy had the chance to score for the third consecutive Premier League game, but he fired wide from a narrow angle when the chip may have been the better option.

Pogba tried his luck from 25 yards late on with a shot which crept inches wide, but it didn't matter as the Reds stretched the unbeaten run to 23 league games. Next up - a certain Manchester derby.

FULL-TIME STATS
Possession: Burnley 46% United 54%
Shots at goal: Burnley 7 United 12
Shots on target: Burnley 0 United 6
Corners: Burnley 3 United 3

THE TEAMS

Burnley: Heaton, Lowton, Keane, Mee (Tarkowski 45), Ward, Boyd (Gudmundsson 62), Barton, Hendrick, Brady, Gray, Barnes (Agyei 75). Subs not used: Pope, Flanagan, Westwood, Defour.

Booked: Lowton, Hendrick.

United: De Gea, Darmian, Bailly, Blind, Young, Herrera, Fellaini, Pogba (Carrick 88), Lingard (Rashford 69), Rooney, Martial (Mkhitaryan 78). Subs not used: Romero, Fosu-Mensah, Tuanzebe, Shaw.

Booked: Rooney.