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| Photograph: EveningStandard |
By Odiko Godwin
It was a game Manchester United couldn't afford to draw not to mention lose. The Red Devils should have won the game by a larger margin, but scoreline finished 2-0 thanks to wastefulness on the part of the players. So, what could be taken out of the game?
José Mourinho got his tactics right
The moment the line-up was released via the club's official twitter handle, many couldn't quite get why the likes of Fred and Herrera were dropped to the bench for Matic and Fellaini to start in midfield alongside Paul Pogba. But, as the game progressed, it became obvious Matic and Fellaini were brought into the fold to help neutralize the attacking threats of Burnley from aerial balls.
With a striker like Chris Wood standing at 6 ft 3, all three Burnley centre midfielders averaging 6ft and a centre back pairing of Tarkowski and Mee averaging a height of 6ft, Fellaini and Matic were very effective against Sean Dyche's tactics on the day - joining Smalling and Lindelof at the back when Burnley go wide to launch balls into the box, and also help dealt with the threats in the air in midfield to give United the control in that area. Fellaini, particularly was brilliant with his duties and carried it out perfectly. But, not every team in the league are particularly focused on outwitting opponents from aerial balls, so it will be interesting to see how José Mourinho set up his side against a totally different opponent going forward. Because that is where managers earn their plaudits.
Lukaku isn't world class yet, needs to improve on his finishing
In a dispensation where strikers are rated mainly with the rate at which they finish chances, Lukaku is only doing his reputation as a striker more harm than good by continually being profligate in front of goal. Strikers like Olivier Giroud and Romelu Lukaku can be brilliant in games; assisting teammates with goals and contributing immensely to the team build-up play, but without scoring begging chances as a striker - criticisms will only increase.
Lukaku scored two against Burnley, but could have easily scored four. A 2-0 win isn't always good when you can win by 4 goals or more. Because, goals can win you the league in a situation where you're tied on point with an opponent, and goals can also be the difference between finishing among the top four or crashing out. But more importantly, a striker is judged by how clinical he is in front of goal. Lukaku just has to improve.
Pogba seem to be playing for United with just his 'body and not with his spirit'
For all the 'all is well' gestures the manager and player seem to be painting in and to the media recently, it looks quite obvious from the body language of Pogba that he is not enjoying his football at the club at the moment. I thought he was horrible on the day, and even capped it up with a missed penalty kick. The player still seem to hold something against the manager that publicly stated after the French star heroics at the World Cup that 'it's more of the player giving the best he has to give and not about the manager getting the best out of the player.' I think Paul Pogba is far better than what he has displayed for Manchester United so far in the season. Can't wait to watch the French star play with his body and mind for the club.
Luke Shaw remains United's best player so far
I keep singling out Luke Shaw every week for praise and the 23-year-old left back hasn't yet given me any reason to stop the panegyrics every week. He was clearly United's best player in the game at Turf Moor. It's great to see him back and playing well after a devastating injury. In sincerity, there are many players who don't come back from a broken leg. Massive credit has to go to the player.
Follow and interact with me on twitter by clicking on my handle: @OdikoGodwin
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