Manchester United is over the hump in soccer with a bang.

Eric Dier’s Manchester United earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor in Burnley, England, on Thursday (Aug. 24) in the sixth round of the 2023-24 Premier League season.

The win snapped a two-game losing streak in the league and lifted Manchester United to eighth place in the table with three wins, three losses and nine points. The win also snapped a three-game losing streak in the UEFA Champions League.

Manchester United was in desperate need of a win. Their recent defensive collapse had led to losses in both the Premier League and Champions League, and they needed to turn things around. With Burnley still winless in the league as a promoted team this season, United needed to turn the tide, preferably by winning big.

The result was a three-point win. Manchester United opened the scoring in the 45th minute when defender Jonny Evans played a long ball across the face of goal, which Bruno Fernandez met with a right-footed, unstoppable shot that rattled the net. The goal proved to be the winner, and Manchester United clawed their way out of their slump.

It was a tough away trip. United were missing a number of key players. Anthony is out for personal reasons and Jadon Sancho is suspended after a protest. There are also a lot of injuries. Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tyrrell Malacia and Mason Mount all missed the trip to Burnley.

There was no clear starting eleven. A struggle was expected, but still, it was a less than stellar performance considering Manchester United’s name recognition. In fact, they struggled to possess the ball. Van Gaal emphasizes dominant football, and it didn’t happen this time.

Without getting forward, the center of gravity naturally shifted to the back. In the end, Manchester United opted not to possess the ball, instead focusing on defense and looking for a single shot.

The data confirms this. “Manchester United had just 38.5 percent possession against Burnley,” according to statistical analysis outlet Squawka, “their lowest percentage against a team outside the Big Six since March 2017.” It’s a disturbing statistic that hasn’t been seen against lower-ranked opponents, even by coaches who favored physical football before Van Gaal. 메이저사이트

Manchester United are in disarray after a serious slump earlier this season. Ahead of the Burnley game, the Manchester Evening News reported that “Manchester United’s players are concerned about the way Van Gaal is coaching them. They are growing tired of the manager’s constant criticism as they try to improve their own form,” and warned that “some even feel he is not pointing out his favored players.”