Scott McTominay starred as Manchester United ended 2021 with a much-needed win against a depleted Burnley.
Having gone top of the Premier League with victory at Turf Moor in January, talk of a title challenge had turned to the need to kickstart their Champions League qualification push by the end of a topsy-turvy year.
There remains plenty of work for Ralf Rangnick to do, but Thursday’s 3-1 win against an under-strength Burnley continued the unbeaten start to his interim stint and sent the side up to sixth heading into the new year.
United would have ended the calendar year outside the top six for the first time since 1989/90 had they not won at Old Trafford, but academy graduate McTominay seemed hell bent on getting them back to winning ways.
3️⃣ for Man Utd 🔴🔴🔴
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) December 30, 2021
Scott McTominay is SO close with a stunning effort and Cristiano Ronaldo is there to tap in the rebound#PLonPrime #MUNBUR pic.twitter.com/bs6UqFFK7o
The Scotland international delighted compatriot Sir Alex Ferguson on the eve of his 80th birthday by scoring a fine opener from the edge of the box in the eighth minute.
A low Jadon Sancho shot deflected in off Burnley captain Ben Mee and Cristiano Ronaldo made it three, turning home after McTominay’s strike was superbly tipped on to a post by Wayne Hennessey.
The back-up goalkeeper impressed, with Nick Pope among several positive Covid-19 cases in the Burnley camp, as did Aaron Lennon as he capped a fine display with a quality effort before half-time.
A lively first half made way for a flat second period as United professionally saw out victory – a welcome end to a challenging year at Old Trafford.
