Manchester United delivered their most impressive performance to date under Ralf Rangnick in a convincing 3-1 win over Burnley.
Goals from Scott McTominay and Cristiano Ronaldo, along with a Ben Mee own goal, were enough to secure maximum points at Old Trafford.
Rangnick had called for a response from his players following their disappointing 1-1 draw with Newcastle on Monday and certainly got a reaction in the opening 45 minutes.
Victory for United sends them into sixth in the table as they remain unbeaten in the five matches since the German took charge.
Metro.co.uk picks out three players who particularly impressed and one area of concern Rangnick will need to look at following the win over the Clarets.
Scott McTominay
McTominay scored his first league goal in 28 Premier League appearances with a brilliant curled finish from the edge of the box to set United on their way this evening.
The Scot came in for criticism for his display against Newcastle with Jonjo Shelvey dominating the match in the middle of the park but tonight was a different story.
With Bruno Fernandes suspended, McTominay was allowed to get further forward and helped start several of United’s attacks.
Solid defensively and never stopped running he brought discipline to the team tonight and it’s the level Rangnick expects of his midfielders looking to control the game.
Luke Shaw
Shaw was handed his first league start under Rangnick in one of six changes tonight with Alex Telles on the bench.
The England international returned with a bang, solid down the left flank and showing the threat he possesses going forward.
Regular link-ups with Jadon Sancho down the wing caused Burnley problems and it was the sort of performance that could now see him keep his place in Rangnick’s starting XI.
Cristiano Ronaldo
A goal and an assist for the Portuguese saw him deliver the goods once again for United this evening.
Gary Neville called out Ronaldo for his ‘whinging’ in United’s draw with Newcastle this week and it seems the five-time Ballon d’Or winner listened.
Ronaldo of course showed his frustrations throughout but more so with his own game than calling out his team-mates.
The 36-year-old posed a constant threat to Burnley’s backline with his reading of the game helping to create space for his team-mates to push forward.
Eric Bailly
Following Raphael Varane’s return against Newcastle and a disappointing display which saw him at fault for the home side’s opener, Bailly was handed a rare start tonight.
Bailly looked a tad nervy throughout alongside Harry Maguire and both centre-backs should have done better for the goal.
A poor touch from Bailly gifted Burnley possession and just seconds later Aaron Lennon capitalised on the mistake to end United’s clean sheet hopes.
The Ivorian’s night was made even more miserable when he was taken off in the second half with an injury as Varane came on.
Bailly will be off to the Africa Cup of Nations next month if fit with Varane returning to partner Maguire, but Rangnick will likely have concerns the Frenchman may not be fully fit to last a hectic run of games.
With no other recognised centre-backs on the bench as Victor Lindelof is recovering from coronavirus, it’s certainly an area United are short in and could look to address in the January transfer window.
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