Paul Pogba volley sends Man Utd top in VAR-heavy win at Burnley

Paul Pogba TEAMtalk

Manchester United leapfrogged Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table after Paul Pogba’s deflected strike gave them a 1-0 win at Burnley on Tuesday night.

The France star volleyed home from the edge of the box in a second half dominated by the visitors, as they deservedly took all three points.

Edinson Cavani was named in the United line-up at Burnley after returning from a three-match ban.

The 33-year-old was among 10 alterations made to the side that beat Watford in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Eric Bailly was the only player to retain his starting berth after overcoming a blow to the back of his head.

Nick Pope returned between the sticks as Burnley made four changes to their penalty shootout win against MK Dons.

The home side made their intentions clear from the outset as they looked to trouble United’s centre-backs with long balls up to Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes.

United had the first strike on target, however, when Bruno Fernandes’ shot straight at Nick Pope from 16 yards.

There was a lengthy VAR delay just before the half-hour mark when Robbie Brady could have seen red for bringing down Cavani when clean through on goal, after initially being shown a yellow card.

However, referee Kevin Friend decided that Luke Shaw had fouled Johann Gudmundsson at the other end of the pitch seconds before, with the United star shown a yellow himself.

Harry Maguire TEAMtalk

Moments later Harry Maguire saw a thumping headed goal chalked off for a foul on Erik Pieters.

England stopper Pope had to be at his best as the half drew to a close, tipping Anthony Martial’s curling strike over the bar.

United assert their dominance

United started the second half brightly and should have taken the lead through Cavani in the 52nd minute.

A well worked break found Martial on the left but his cross was completely missed by the striker six yards out.

Fernandes then drilled two efforts at Pope in as many minutes, as United looked to step on the gas.

Cavani lashed an effort over the bar, after getting the benefit of a lucky bounce in the area, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men continuing to dominate.

And they were finally rewarded for that dominance when Pogba gave them the lead with a well-taken volley.

Rashford worked some space down the right before crossing to the edge of the box for Pogba to volley home, via a slight deflection off Matt Lowton.

Josh Brownhill volleyed wide from 20 yards, while sub Matej Vydra saw an effort deflected into the sidenetting in a late Burnley charge.

Martial limped off in stoppage time after squandering a chance to make it two, as United held on for a vital three points.