Manchester United's 100% record under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came to an end with Burnley holding the Red Devils to a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Tuesday night.
United were looking for their ninth straight victory under Solskjaer's leadership, but goals from Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood saw Burnley lead 2-0 with 81 minutes on the clock.
Paul Pogba halved the deficit from the penalty spot in the 87th minute though, before Victor Lindelof came up with a 92nd-minute leveller for the Red Devils, who are now just two points off fourth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League table.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Burnley from Old Trafford. United will be looking for their ninth straight win under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tonight, but Burnley have been in decent form in the league in recent weeks. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute coverage of the action.
United have won each of their last eight matches, including six in the Premier League, to move to within three points of fourth-placed Chelsea in the table with a lot of football still to be played this season. Burnley, meanwhile, sit 16th in the table having shown an improvement in recent weeks, but they will enter this match off the back of a 5-0 defeat at Manchester City in the FA Cup.
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. United were in FA Cup action against Arsenal on Friday night, while as mentioned, Burnley lost at City in the FA Cup on Saturday. There have been a number of changes from both teams...
TEAMS!
UNITED: De Gea; Young, Lindelof, Jones, Shaw; Matic, Pereira, Pogba; Mata, Rashford, Lukaku
BURNLEY: Heaton; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Hendrick, Cork, Westwood, McNeil; Barnes, Wood
TEAMS!
UNITED: De Gea; Young, Lindelof, Jones, Shaw; Matic, Pereira, Pogba; Mata, Rashford, Lukaku
BURNLEY: Heaton; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Hendrick, Cork, Westwood, McNeil; Barnes, Wood
United boss Solskjaer has made five changes to the team that started against Arsenal in the FA Cup on Friday night, with David de Gea, Phil Jones, Andreas Pereira, Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford all coming into the side. Romelu Lukaku keeps his spot in attack, while Ashley Young, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba are also retained.
Burnley's team, meanwhile, shows seven changes from the one that started against Man City, with only James Tarkowski, Charlie Taylor, Dwight McNeil and Jeff Hendrick keeping their spots. Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood start in what is an attacking 4-4-2 for the visitors here.
No Anthony Martial in the United squad tonight, which is a surprise. It might well be an injury, but there has been no confirmation. Elsewhere, there is no Marouane Fellaini as the Belgian is reportedly on the verge of leaving the club for the Chinese Super League. A strong bench, however, does include the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Jesse Lingard and Ander Herrera.
Even in Solskjaer's wildest dreams, surely the Norwegian would not have expected to be in this position when he replaced Jose Mourinho as head coach of United last month. Solskjaer was brought back to Old Trafford with the view to improving morale in the squad and while that has undoubtedly been the case, the results have been spectacular since he came through the door.
Friday's 3-1 win over Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup made it eight straight victories in all competitions, including six in the Premier League to put United right back in top-four contention. The 1-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur on January 13 was followed by a 2-1 home success over Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend, which moved the Red Devils to within three points of fourth-placed Chelsea.
Even Tottenham Hotspur in third are now just seven points ahead of United and the 20-time English champions are the overwhelming favourites to overcome Burnley here. United will then travel to Leicester City and Fulham in their next two, before the small matter of the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 match at home to Paris Saint-Germain on February 12.
Under Mourinho, United were difficult to watch and were also not picking up results. It has been a total flip since Solskjaer arrived and it could yet be a successful campaign for the club.
That said, it is understood that there will not be an immediate decision made over Solskjaer's potential role beyond the end of the season, with the club expected to take their time when it comes to picking Mourinho's long-term successor having made too many mistakes in recent history.
United recorded a 2-0 win at Burnley in the reverse match earlier this season, but the points were shared in a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford last term. That said, Burnley have only beaten United once since 1968, while they have not been victorious away at the Red Devils since 1962.
Dating back to 1892 when United were under the name Newton Heath, the pair have met on 127 occasions and the Red Devils lead the head-to-head record 61 wins to Burnley's 44. It is difficult to imagine Burnley stopping the United train tonight, but we will soon find out.
Burnley took a bit of a hiding at Manchester City on Saturday, suffering a 5-0 defeat to the Citizens in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Head coach Sean Dyche made a number of changes for the clash at the Etihad Stadium and as expected, it proved to be a very difficult afternoon for the Clarets as they bowed out of the competition. All of their big guns are back for this match though.
Burnley's recent league form has been strong, however, having picked up 10 points from their last four matches. Indeed, they overcame West Ham United, Huddersfield Town and Fulham before picking up an impressive point at Watford on January 19. Six wins, four draws and 13 defeats - that is how Dyche's side have performed this season. A total of 22 points has left them in 16th position, just three points clear of 18th-placed Cardiff City after 23 matches.
Between October 6 and December 26, Burnley only picked up one victory. A 5-1 defeat at home to Everton on Boxing Day left the club in a very difficult position, but they have responded impressively in recent weeks. It is a tough ask to expect Burnley to pick up a result at Old Trafford, but they have a huge game at home to Southampton next weekend.
Over at the Emirates Stadium tonight, this is brilliant from Arsenal...
Burnley have also already lost seven times on their travels in the Premier League this season, conceding 22 and scoring just nine, which is not a record that will fill the supporters with too much confidence ahead of this match. Meanwhile, Burnley have only beaten United once since 1968 and have not been victorious in an away league fixture against the English giants since 1962.
Elsewhere in the Premier League tonight, there are four matches just getting underway. Indeed, Arsenal host Cardiff, Fulham welcome Brighton, Everton are at Huddersfield and West Ham have travelled to Wolves. The other 8pm match tonight sees Newcastle host Man City.
Just a reminder of the two XIs tonight...
UNITED: De Gea; Young, Lindelof, Jones, Shaw; Matic, Pereira, Pogba; Mata, Rashford, Lukaku
BURNLEY: Heaton; Bardsley, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Hendrick, Cork, Westwood, McNeil; Barnes, Wood
United will be in a 4-3-3 tonight, with Andreas Pereira given a rare starting role in midfield. Martial is injured and Jesse Lingard rested, meaning that Lukaku and Mata join Rashford in the final third. As for Burnley, an attacking 4-4-2 sees Wood and Barnes both start in attack, while impressive youngster McNeil will provide support from a wide area. Should be an open match!
Here we go then; both sets of players are in the tunnel ahead of kickoff at Old Trafford. All smiles from the United players once again, which is not a surprise when considering their recent form. Young leads United out while Heaton has the armband for visiting Burnley here.
There have already been two goals in the 7.45pm kickoffs tonight, with Brighton one up at Fulham and Everton leading Huddersfield. Still goalless at the Emirates between Arsenal and Cardiff, while the same can be said for Wolves vs. West Ham. Right, back to Old Trafford!
Right, we are all ready to go in Manchester. It is a bitter night, but no snow. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute coverage as United go in search of their ninth straight win tonight.
KICKOFF: United kick things off on home soil...
... Rashford has actually started in a wide position for United, with Lukaku through the middle. Although I suspect that will change as the night develops. I said no show a few moments ago, but a few drops have just started to fall. Hopefully it does not become too heavy here!
As expected, United have taken control of the possession in the early moments, but Burnley have pressed players forward when given the chance to break. Should be an open game here.
Rashford delivers a very dangerous cross into the Burnley box, but Heaton does well to make the clearance. The resulting corner is played into Pereira, but his strike is blocked by Mee.
SHOT! Rashford has a shot deflected behind by Taylor as United threaten early on here.
Burnley attempt to break after Cork takes the ball away from Rashford, but Shaw is back to claim and United can put the pressure on once again. It has been a very, very fast start.
SAVE! De Gea has to keep out a low strike from Wood.
CHANCE! Huge chance for Rashford following excellent work from Lukaku, but the Englishman somehow pokes wide from inside the box. Big miss from Rashford!
Burnley are leaving a lot of players up the field, which is creating a very open game of football. United should be ahead, but I suspect we have not seen the last of the chances.
Burnley are adopting a very high press at the moment, which is leaving space for United on the break. Rashford has just run away from Tarkowski, but the ball goes behind for a goal kick.
Not too much to report in the last minute or two, but it is still a very open game of football at Old Trafford. The snow is still falling in Manchester, but nothing too heavy at the moment.
CLOSE! McNeil sends an attempt just over De Gea's crossbar from distance.
CHANCE! Big chance for Barnes inside the United box, but Jones just about does enough to clear ahead of the forward, who was ready to pounce. Burnley on the front foot!
Serious pressure from Burnley in the last couple of minutes as they force two corners in quick succession, but United do well to defend their lines. The visitors have come to play here!
Heaton makes a smart save to keep out a low Mata strike, but the flag was raised.
United are back on the front foot now as they look to take the game to Burnley, who are leaving Wood and Barnes ahead of the ball, but Hendrick and McNeil are both working back.
CHANCE! Mata is found by Pereira inside the Burnley box, but Bardsley is across at the vital moment to make the challenge. Mata is finding space in dangerous positions here.
Wood again tests De Gea with a strike from outside the box, but the offside flag was raised. Still goalless with 27 minutes on the clock, but it has been a very open game of football.
Burnley force United back as Barnes makes Jones go back to De Gea.
Young gets down the right before delivering a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Taylor does well to make the clearance. Pogba then loses the ball outside the Burnley box.
Still goalless with 33 minutes on the clock and Dyche will be delighted with what he has seen from his team thus far. United have not been at their best tonight, but there was always going to be a match like this during such an impressive run; they just have to come through it.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Wood lifts the ball over De Gea into the back of the net, but the flag is raised.
SHOT! Shaw strikes from outside the Burnley box, but his effort is deflected behind!
SAVE! Heaton makes a fine save to deny Lukaku, but the whistle had already been blown for a free kick. It was a quite sensational stop from the former Man United stopper.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Pogba pokes the ball through the legs of Heaton, but the flag is raised!
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and United are currently moving the ball quickly in the final third, but Burnley are defending very, very well at Old Trafford.
Tarkowski clears a low cross from Shaw, who has been heavily involved in this first period. We have not seen an awful lot from Young down the other side of the field though.
CLOSE! Mata's low strike from distance flies past Heaton's post.
Burnley have the chance to deliver a deep free kick into the United box, but Westwood gets it wrong and it is a real waste. Still goalless as we head for the half-time whistle here.
SHOT! Young sees an attempt move harmlessly wide of the post. More of a slice.
Just the one minute to be played at the end of the first period.
HALF TIME: MAN UNITED 0-0 BURNLEY
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Rashford had the best chance of the match early on, but fired wide of the post. Burnley have certainly impressed at Old Trafford and they are holding the home side at the break.
STATISTICS! United had 68% possession in the first period, but failed to hit the target with any of their eight attempts, which is a surprise. Burnley, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their three attempts. No yellow cards to report here, it has not been that type of match.
BENCH WATCH! United boss Solskjaer has a number of attacking options on his bench tonight, with the likes of Herrera, Lingard, Fred and Sanchez all capable of making a difference. Burnley, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Gudmundsson, Vokes and Vydra.
KICKOFF: Burnley resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the half progresses here.
CHANCE! Almost a huge moment here as De Gea palms a Matic clearance back into play, but Barnes cannot sort out his feet in time. That was a very strange turn of events!
SAVE! Heaton has to get down to keep out a low strike from Mata!
The tempo is really high at the start of the second period and I would be surprised if a goal did not arrive in the next five minutes or so, with both teams pressing players forward.
SAVE! Heaton is down to keep out a curling strike from Pogba.
GOAL! MAN UNITED 0-1 BURNLEY (BARNES)
Burnley make the breakthrough in the 51st minute as Pereira is robbed of the ball by Cork and the midfielder finds Barnes, who smashes high into the roof of the net.
United have been under-par tonight and now they must come from behind. Pereira will be blamed for the goal, but a number of his teammates have not been at it tonight.
SAVE! Heaton saves a long-range Rashford strike.
CLOSE! Rashford misses the post with a low strike from distance.
CLOSE! Shaw's low effort fizzes wide of the post as United continue to force the issue here.
SAVE! De Gea has to keep out a strike from McNeil!
Still more than 30 minutes of football remaining, but Burnley's lead stands and they are still committing players in the final third of the field. No sign of any changes at the moment.
YELLOW CARD! Barnes (Burnley) is booked for a poor challenge on Pogba.
Lingard and Sanchez for Mata and Pereira would be the obvious double change here.
UNITED SUB! Lingard replaces Pereira for the home side.
All United at the moment as Mata feeds two crosses into the box, but Burnley manage to clear their lines on both occasions. The visitors have defended incredibly well in this match.
SAVE! Heaton makes a wonderful save to keep out a close-range Lukaku attempt!
SHOT! Matic's strike from distance misses the Burnley crossbar!
MAN UNITED SUB! Sanchez replaces Lukaku for the home side.
Sanchez sees his low cross cleared behind by Tarkowski as United continue to force the issue. You do get the feeling that something has to give in the final 20 minutes here.
Bardsley heads behind at the far post as United continue to force the issue.
CLOSE! Pogba rises to meet a cross from Sanchez, but his header is too high.
YELLOW CARD! Mata (Man United) is booked for dissent.
YELLOW CARD! Taylor (Burnley) is booked for wasting time.
Cannot help but think that a certain Fellaini would be perfect for this match as United continue to deliver high into the box. Still a solid 15 minutes of football to play here.
United have a free kick in a dangerous area as Rashford is brought to the deck...
... Mata smashes his free kick straight into the wall.
BURNLEY SUB! Gudmundsson replaces McNeil for the away side.
Dalot for Young could perhaps be United's final change, but no sign of that at the moment. Burnley still lead at Old Trafford as we head for the final 10 minutes of football here.
Burnley continue to clear their lines. It is too 'samey' from United.
GOAL! MAN UNITED 0-2 BURNLEY (WOOD)
Burnley have their second as Wood hurts a Westwood cross into the corner.
United think that they have a penalty as Mee fouls Rashford, but the decision is given just outside the box. It is not a great position for the Red Devils to be honest.
United continue to work the ball into dangerous areas, but nothing is coming off here.
PENALTY! United have a penalty as Hendrick brings Lingard to the deck!
GOAL! MAN UNITED 1-2 BURNLEY (POGBA, PEN)
Pogba finds the back of the net for 2-1!
It will be very interesting to see how much injury time is added to the end of the 90.
SAVE! Heaton keeps out a long-range strike from Pogba!
We are into the first of five minutes of added time!
GOAL! MAN UNITED 2-2 BURNLEY (LINDELOF)
Oh my goodness me! United level the scores as Lindelof smashes home after Heaton had kept out a low strike from Sanchez! Incredible finish to this football match.
United are being driven forward by their fans as they look for a third goal!
Pogba spins inside the box and has a shot blocked by Mee!
YELLOW CARD! Cork (Burnley) is booked for dissent.
FULL TIME: MAN UNITED 2-2 BURNLEY
Oh my goodness! The referee brings the second period to a close with United coming from 2-0 behind to draw 2-2 in the latter stages. What a match at Old Trafford. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Be sure to join us again very soon!
