Premier League: Manchester United Cruise Past Covid-Hit Burnley To Strengthen Top-Four Hopes

Manchester United cruised to a morale-boosting 3-1 win against Burnley to strengthen their push for a Premier League top-four finish.

Manchester United cruised to a morale-boosting 3-1 win against Burnley on the eve of Alex Ferguson's 80th birthday on Thursday to strengthen their push for a Premier League top-four finish. Scott McTominay put United in front early and a Ben Mee own goal doubled their lead before Cristiano Ronaldo finished impudently to put Ralf Rangnick's men 3-0 up. Veteran winger Aaron Lennon punctured the party atmosphere at Old Trafford towards the end of the first half, giving Sean Dyche's depleted team hope, but United largely bossed a flat second period.

The Red Devils are now in sixth spot, four points behind fourth-placed Arsenal with a game in hand after interim manager Rangnick shuffled his pack following a disappointing draw at Newcastle.

The German said he still had work to do with his defence but told Amazon Prime "physically and energetically it was a good performance".

"For us it's about taking next development steps -- therefore it was important for us to win this game today," he said.

"Now we've gone eight games in a row without a defeat and since I arrived we have three wins and one draw (in the league), which is OK, we've got enough points."