Manchester: Manchester United preserved Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s unbeaten start as manager with two goals in the final five minutes of a dramatic 2-2 draw Tuesday against Burnley.
The result ended Solskjaer’s perfect streak of eight successive victories since the Norwegian took over from the sacked Jose Mourinho before Christmas.
But Solskjaer remained unbeaten in his interim spell after Ashley Young sent over a 92nd-minute cross, Alexis Sanchez’s header was saved by Tom Heaton and defender Victor Lindelof pounced to net the last-gasp equaliser at Old Trafford.
Burnley took the lead in the 51st minute when Andreas Pereira was disposed off the ball by Burnley’s Jack Cork. The midfielder’s through ball quickly played Ashley Barnes into space in the United area and his devastating shot gave David de Gea no chance as it soared into the roof of the net. They doubled their lead in the 80th minute Ashley Westwood was allowed space to cross from the right and the unmarked Chris Wood headed in from six yards.
United ensured a thrilling finale, three minutes from time when Jeff Hendrick was judged to have brought down Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba stroked in the penalty. Pogba then produced a magnificent shot that appeared destined for the top corner until Heaton made a stunning save. But Man United’s pressure was rewarded by Lindelof in the final moments.
The Red Devils stay sixth and sit two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who have a game in hand in the race to qualify for the Champions League.
Just nine minutes had gone when Pogba played through Marcus Rashford, who exchanged passes with Romelu Lukaku only to roll his shot well wide from a hugely promising position.
It looked like being the start of another successful outing for Solskjaer and his team, but Burnley, vastly improved in recent weeks under Sean Dyche, clearly had other ideas. And although United ended the first half looking in control, all too often, they ran out of ideas in the final third.
Pogba had the ball in the net after 38 minutes only for the goal to be ruled out for an obvious offside, while Juan Mata shot wide from long range.
AFP