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It was cruel and the least this Burnley team deserved was a draw after playing some good football against the cream of talent United had to offer, a side that included such as Oliver Norwood, Corry Evans and Rodrigo Possebon.
It wasn't a game of too much goalmouth action, but there were impressive performances for a very young Burnley side in all areas of the pitch. The young back four looked very secure for the most part, and once Kevin Long had gone off injured it has to be noted that it was made up of three first year apprentices and one second year. All four of them played well.
Up front, Jay Rodriguez and Wes Fletcher linked up well. Fletcher should have had a penalty in the first half but, hardly surprisingly, this was Burnley against Manchester United and we didn't get it.
In midfield, again we looked good. We started the game with Chris Anderson and Alex-Ray Harvey in the centre with Adam Kay and Alex MacDonald in the wide positions. When Alex Mac was forced off with injury just before half time it was Anderson who went wide with Chris McCann coming on.
And that was just about the best news we got all night, seeing McCann back on the pitch in a claret and blue shirt. He received a warm reception from the fans. He's been missed and you wonder just how much different our season might have been had he been fit.
The game, for the most part, was an even affair with chances at a premium. United did break clear on a couple of occasions but were thwarted by the ever alert Diego Penny who had a good game in goal.
But as the game moved into its final quarter it was Burnley who stepped it up and looked the more likely to win it. Zeiler made saves from Fletcher and Rodriguez with the latter almost winning it with a speculative effort that hit the roof of the net.
Our best chance fell to Adam Kay. Michael King, on as a substitute, did well to get into the box on the left hand side and played the ball across for Kay. He looked a certain scorer but a player who is usually reliable in front of goal got it wrong and his shot was going wide before hitting a defender.
Up went the board showing three minutes stoppage time and almost immediately United broke for Cole to get that goal. They came close to a second too, but failed to take the opportunity.
But this was a good performance from a very youthful Burnley team and, to quote a former manager, it really does augur well for the future. And how refreshing to be playing another reserve game at Turf Moor where at least the players can have some confidence in passing the ball.
We're back on the moon's surface next week for our final game against Blackburn. This kicks off at 2:00 p.m. next Tuesday at Accrington in a final act of defiance by the police to keep fans away from the fixture.
The teams last night were;
Burnley: Diego Penny, Curtis Woods, Neil Yadolahi, Kevin Long (Ed Williams 26), Jake McEneaney, Adam Kay, Chris Anderson, Alex-Ray Harvey, Alex MacDonald (Chris McCann 43), Wes Fletcher (Michael King 73), Jay Rodriguez. Subs not used: Danny McDonald, Dom Knowles.
Manchester United: Ron-Robert Zeiler, Michael Keane, Corry Evans, Oliver Gill (Robert Brady 63), Joe Dudgeon (Michele Fornasier 79), Oliver Norwood, Larnell Cole, Rodrigo Possebon, Jessie Lingard, Etzaz Hussain (John Cofie 63), Cameron Stewart. Subs not used: Sam Johnstone, Charnie Ekangamene.