Why criticism of Manchester United win over Burnley is totally wrong

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Manchester United supporters breathed a huge sigh of relief after the team won 1-0 away at Burnley.

It is certainly understandable. It was Manchester United’s first win since the comeback victory over Nottingham Forest in August and they needed the victory to ease the pressure.

United had Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof as the centre-back pairing with a 20-year-old midfielder Hannibal Mejbri making his first ever start for the Red Devils in the Premier League.

United got the win in the end, and it was certainly needed, but you can’t please everybody…

Keys on the victory

Writing on his blog, Keys was seemingly unhappy about how United played in Lancashire and thinks Liverpool are ‘miles ahead of them once again’.

“How jittery were United at Turf Moor? One moment of sublime class sunk Burnley, who tossed away a gilt-edged chance to get their first win. United were there for the taking.”

United certainly were jittery but the extenuating circumstances around the game, with heavy criticism, a severe injury crisis, and poor form, meant it was unlikely you would have seen a complete thrashing dealt out by an under-manned Red Devils side.

Satrday night was about ‘getting through’, and United did that. The team should be given credit for grinding out a result.

United’s circumstances

No matter what Keys says, that win over Burnley for the Red Devils is a crucial one at a pivotal time in the season.

The circumstances around the game meant that any win, however ugly it would be, was needed at all costs. United lost another two centre-backs prior to kick-off with Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez picking up injuries.

So for 35-year-old Evans to play, United fans needed to be realistic about the game and, as it turned out, Evans assisted the game’s only goal for Bruno Fernandes.

United got the three points, in the end and the manner in which they ground out the win will surely give the team confidence ahead of a very winnable run of fixtures for the Red Devils.