Manchester United 3-0 Burnley: Substitute Chris Smalling scored twice to help Manchester United overcome battling Burnley and climb up to third in the Premier League table.
United lost Phil Jones and Daley Blind to injury but Smalling nodded his team into the lead with his first touch after Radamel Falcao’s flick back.
Danny Ings equalised for Burnley from Kieran Trippier’s cross before Smalling headed home Angel Di Maria’s centre.
Ings went close before Robin van Persie added a third with a late penalty. The spot-kick was awarded after Scott Arfield sent Di Maria sprawling.
United have now lost only once in 15 top-flight games but this was anything but a fluent display. It will have done little to improve Louis van Gaal’s mood after West Ham boss Sam Allardyce labelled his team”long-ball United”.
The hosts were second best to the struggling Clarets for long periods, yet, despite a committed performance, Burnley remain one point from safety. They have won only once in nine league games ahead of their next match at leaders Chelsea.
