Manchester United lose behind-closed-doors friendly 3-0 against Burnley

Manchester United’s lacklustre start to the new season continued on Wednesday after they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Burnley in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

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Despite significant investment over the summer, the Red Devils have made an uninspiring start to the new Premier League season, scraping past Wolves before losing away to Tottenham.

They were rather fortunate to claim all three points in their season opener at Old Trafford, with Wolves missing a host of chances as well as being denied a penalty when Andre Onana wiped out Sasa Kalajdzic.

United had opportunities to take the lead in north London a week later but were dominated in the second period, losing 2-0.

Erik ten Hag named the same side in both of those matches, with Marcus Rashford leading the line and Casemiro somewhat isolated in midfield with Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes ahead of him – two tactical decisions that have faced a degree of criticism.

With a number of fringe players lacking match sharpness, and others returning from injury, Ten Hag decided to arrange a behind-closed-doors friendly at Carrington on Wednesday to build up some fitness.

While the line-up was predominantly made up of youth players, it did include some familiar faces – some of whom could be involved on Saturday when Nottingham Forest visit Old Trafford.

Anthony Martial, who has been slowly working his way back to full fitness after a hamstring injury, was picked to lead the line while Facundo Pellistri – who, like Martial, was introduced late on against Spurs – was also handed a run out.

With Mason Mount injured for the next two matches, either Scott McTominay or Christian Eriksen is likely to replace him in the starting XI and Ten Hag may have dropped a clue with his team selection against Burnley.

McTominay, who has been heavily linked with a move away this summer, was picked in midfield while Eriksen trained with the rest of the first-team group.

Other players involved against Burnley included Jonny Evans, Hannibal Mejbri, Alvaro Fernandez and Donny van de Beek.

Despite the relatively strong line-up, United were beaten 3-0 in the match – though Vincent Kompany is believed to have picked a very competitive team due to Burnley not having played at the weekend, with their away clash at newly promoted Luton Town postponed while the stadium is upgraded.

It is the second behind-closed-doors friendly United have hosted since the season started and they fared a little better last week when they beat Everton 2-0 courtesy of an own goal and McTominay strike.

Next up, the Red Devils take on Forest at Old Trafford before heading to the Emirates for a massive clash against Arsenal in their final match before the international break, with major improvements needed if they are to get a result.

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