Man Utd 3 Burnley 1

However, another header from Smalling in first-half stoppage time and a late penalty courtesy of Robin van Persie sealed the victory for the hosts. 

Burnley though could leave Old Trafford with heads held high though, having put United under severe pressure for large parts of the encounter. 

Sean Dyche made a change to his starting line-up for the first time in 11 games as Michael Kightly replaced the injured Dean Marney. 

Scott Arfield moved across to partner David Jones in the centre of midfield. 

Meanwhile, Louis van Gaal kept faith in his diamond formation with Wayne Rooney, Ángel Di María, Radamel Falcao and van Persie all starting for Manchester United. 

Burnley were first to create a goalscoring chance after less than three minutes. 

On his first return to Old Trafford, Michael Keane got away from Phil Jones, but couldn’t direct his header on target from Kieran Trippier’s in-swinging corner. 

In response, Tom Heaton did well to push aside Paddy McNair’s dangerous effort from outside the box. 

However, United went in front from the resulting corner. 

Van Persie won the first header at the near post and Falcao knocked the ball back across the face of goal before Smalling – who had just replaced the injured Jones – rose highest to head the ball into the far corner of the net with his first touch. 

But there could have been little doubt about the strength of the Clarets’ character. 

On nine minutes, Ings turned with the ball sharply and released Kightly away down the left wing. The winger tried his luck from a tight angle only for de Gea to produce a good save. 

Three minutes later though, Burnley were level. 

Trippier did superbly to collect the second ball and drive down the right flank before whipping in a wonderful cross that Ings headed home beautifully on the stretch. 

It was the England under-21 international’s ninth goal of the season - and fifth in his last six matches! 

Such was the intensity to the Clarets’ performance that they twice went close to turning the score around soon after. 

First, Ings saw his side-foot shot blocked following another corner. 

And two minutes later, Trippier played Ings through into the channel with an inch-perfect long pass, before the latter pulled the ball back to Barnes, whose first-time effort flew just wide of the post. 

Burnley kept causing United problems throughout the first half with their energy and high pressing as well as Trippier’s consistently outstanding deliveries. 

And on 37 minutes, Ings and Trippier combined again, with Barnes heading the resulting ball into the box over the crossbar at the near post. 

It was United who came off the pitch for the break ahead against the run of play, though. 

Rooney and Di María played a clever, short corner and Smalling jumped up highest once more to head the ball home and restore the hosts’ lead three minutes into the first-half stoppage time. 

To read the full match report please click on the link below;

Match Report