Manchester United started life without Cristiano Ronaldo with a two-goal victory against Vincent Kompany’s Burnley to go to the Carabao Cup quarterfinals; Marcus Rashford lit up the night with a magnificent solo effort. Manchester United advanced to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory against Burnley at Old Trafford. Christian Eriksen’s first-half goal from close range, set up by recalled right defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, gave United the lead.
A fantastic solo effort from the in-form Marcus Rashford early in the second half then put Erik ten Hag’s squad in complete control. Burnley, headed by former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, was competitive enough, and there were some unpleasant moments for the home side when Manuel Benson had the ball at his feet.
Martin Dubravka also looked shaky in the United goal. However, the higher quality came from the Premier League side in their first game after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure. They enter the quarter-finals on Thursday, with expectations growing that Ten Hag will end his first season with United’s first title since 2017.
Manchester United had too much for Burnley
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With Harry Maguire out due to illness and Lisandro Martinez in Argentina celebrating his country’s World Cup victory, United was obliged to put Casemiro in the center of defense. The seasoned Brazilian had a few scares but contributed to the clean sheet. With Bruno Fernandes supplying the creativity, it was always going to be tough for Burnley to keep United out at the other end. Indeed, the Championship side’s eagerness to play from the back caused them to create some of their problems.
However, the first goal was all about aggressive play. Fernandes found Wan-Bissaka, who expertly hooked the ball into the center, giving Eriksen a simple job of firing past Bailey Peacock-Farrell. Burnley remained in the game thanks to Dubravka’s failed punch and clumsy touch, but Rashford’s goal put an end to any real hopes of a comeback. His relentless drive from the halfway line ended with a brilliant finish, fresh off three goals for England at the World Cup.
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Darko Churlinov might have made it an exciting finale if he had defeated Dubravka one-on-one, but it was not to be for Burnley. Manchester United advances to the last eight, kicking off the post-Ronaldo era with a confidence-boosting win. Gary Neville of Sky Sports says Manchester United have an excellent opportunity to end their drought. Tonight was a huge night for Manchester United. That was a game they couldn’t afford to lose. This is their greatest opportunity to win a trophy; they must return to winning awards.
Erik ten Hag has to start winning trophies, and this is the finest opportunity for him. They must go for it. This is their greatest opportunity. They haven’t won a trophy in five years, so this is a fantastic opportunity for them.
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Marcus Rashford was named the match’s MVP.
I believe he’s been at a different level today than many of the other lads on the field,” England international Izzy Christiansen remarked on Sky Sports co-commentary. “His talent, his sense of timing. Putting up a spectacular performance is a huge step forward for him. I genuinely believe Marcus’s position on the right is the most difficult,” Gary Neville stated in the studio. “I believe he is better in the center and on the left, but he seems more excited and ready to play there. He has returned and seems to be content.
Following his bitter departure from Old Trafford last month, Manchester United devoted 81 lines to Ronaldo in their Burnley program – however, none of them could be found in the manager’s pre-match notes, with Ten Hag choosing to address other topics. There was, however, a tiny mention of Ronaldo’s leaving in the United Review’s ‘Worth Knowing’ article on pages six and seven. It said: “Cristiano Ronaldo agreed to leave the club last month.
Over two periods and 436 appearances, the Portuguese superstar scored 145 goals and helped us win three Premier League crowns, one FA Cup, two League Cups, the Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup. In 2008, Ronaldo was also named the Ballon d’Or winner. In a statement issued on November 22, the club expressed its appreciation for Cristiano’s enormous contribution and wished him and his family well in the future.”
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Neville: It’s time to let Ronaldo go.
Neville said that Ronaldo’s departure was unfortunate but unavoidable and that the time has come for both sides to move forward. The only thing Manchester United could do was put an end to the Ronaldo saga,” Neville told Sky Sports. “They couldn’t let the matter linger this close to the World Cup; it had to be resolved. They handled it fast, and the outcome is beneficial to all sides. Unfortunately, it had to end this way, but it had to. He will go on to play football somewhere and hopefully perform well, and Manchester United will be able to go on under Erik ten Hag.
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What’s next for Manchester United and Burnley?
Manchester United will play Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on December 27 at 8 p.m. Burnley play Birmingham at Turf Moor in the Championship on December 27; kick-off at 8 pm, live on Sky Sports Football.
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