Manchester United returned to action after the World Cup break, this time in the Carabao Cup against Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.
After a long period without club football, United sought to progress to the next round of the cup, and had to overcome Championship opposition.
Erik ten Hag fielded a relatively strong starting XI, which saw many of United’s early World Cup knockouts restored to the squad after their participation in the tournament.
Martin Dubravka started in goal ahead of David de Gea who was on the bench. Ahead of the Slovakian, Casemiro and Victor Lindelof made up the central pair. Tyrell Malacia and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were the wingers.
The midfield trio consisted of Scott McTominay in the heart of midfield, with Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen slightly ahead of him. Anthony Martial led the line with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho on either side of him.
Here are three things we learned from Manchester United’s Carabao Cup win against Burnley.
awesome first time
The Red Devils were exceptional in the first 45 minutes that led to the break with a goal up against the Clarets.
United drew first blood courtesy of Eriksen, who capitalized on a brilliant cross from Wan-Bissaka to fire the ball into the back of the net.
United in all had six shots with four on target, compared to Burnley’s measly two shots with just one challenging Dubravka.
Ten Hag’s men also mustered more possession than Burnley. 54% to 46%.
Defensively, United were tight at the back and looked impenetrable throughout the first half. The team created plenty of chances, mostly through Fernandes, who really should have been converted.
Several players were in high spirits, a promising indication just days after the World Cup. Rashford was a threat throughout the first half, with the runs behind him causing all sorts of problems for the Burnley defence. Martial also caused problems for the opposition.
The Kompany players also had to deal with an agile and complicated Garnacho who always sought to make things happen. No doubt Ten Hag would have been pleased with his team’s stellar performance through the first 45 despite the lack of clinical character in front of goal.
Casemiro showed his class and versatility
In the absence of Raphael Varane, Lisandro MartÃnez and Harry Maguire, Ten Hag looked to Casemiro to position himself alongside Lindelof at the heart of the Reds’ defense.
The Brazilian proved his worth in a familiar but unnatural position, where he excelled to great effect.
Casemiro was the leader of the defense, as evidenced by his constant delivery of instructions to his accomplices in the rear.
He made numerous blocks and interceptions, which any world-class central defender would be proud of. Casemiro covered the spaces well and was a sure presence throughout the game.
However, what stood out from his display was his superior technical ability on the ball. Casemiro passed the ball from behind superbly and every time it got away from him he always found a red shirt to deliver it to him.
The highest compliment that can be paid to the five-time Champions League winner is that he was an outstanding operator in an area of ​​the pitch he’s not particularly used to, and he made sure United fans didn’t regret his absence. of Varane or Lisandro MartÃnez.
Rashford is confident and shooting
Rashford put in a stunning performance throughout his 85 minutes on the pitch, from all three forward line positions.
Starting on the right, he moved to the left when Antony came on for Garnacho before being moved to the center when Anthony Elanga was brought into the process in place of Martial.
Rashford, who enjoyed a brilliant personal World Cup campaign with England, scored a brilliant goal from the right wing as he picked up the ball near midfield, ran into the Burnley box before clearing out two defenders with Great skill and finishing. the ball in the lower left corner.
Minutes later he produced another sublime ability to get past the Burnley defenders, this time from the left flank.
The 25-year-old made several runs and showed why Ten Hag is desperate to link him to a new long-term deal at Old Trafford.
The attacker seems to have picked up where he left off before the break and can hopefully continue in the same way. The team will benefit greatly from a confident Rashford who, when fit, can be unplayable.
