United make Burnley pay

Posted Sunday, January 17, 2010 by PA

Manchester United struck three times after half-time to overcome battling Burnley 3-0 at Old Trafford.

Dimitar Berbatov broke the deadlock just after the hour mark when his shot flicked off Michael Duff and flew past Brian Jensen.

Wayne Rooney added his 16th goal of the season shortly afterwards and substitute Mame Biram Diouf added another late on to leave new manager Brian Laws to reflect on the failure of both Steven Fletcher and David Nugent to convert golden opportunities when the game was still deadlocked.

Although they dominated possession, it was not until the final minutes of the first half, when Nani's overhead kick was clawed behind by Brian Jensen that United looked dangerous.

Steven Fletcher should have made more of the opening period's best chance when he was played in by David Nugent. Fletcher went for the far corner but could only turn away in frustration as his shot rolled narrowly wide.

Just before the hour mark, Berbatov produced a brilliant piece of close control to turn onto Valencia's cross then, from six yards, drilled his shot wide. If Nugent had made them pay immediately afterwards, United would have had no-one to blame but themselves.

However, after latching onto Eagles' pass and outpacing Gary Neville, the former Preston striker failed to find the target. It proved to be a costly miss as United immediately enjoyed their pivotal five-minute purple patch.

First Berbatov's shot flicked past Jensen off the base of Michael Duff's foot to break the deadlock.

Then Rooney collected the rebound after Berbatov had been denied by the Burnley keeper and, after taking a while to steady himself, eventually drilled home.

New boy Diouf nodded Valencia's cross past the onrushing Jensen to complete the scoring.