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BURNLEY, England (Reuters) – Manchester United advanced a three-point lead to the top of the Premier League after a Paul Pogba goal gave them a close 1-0 win over Burnley on an icy Turf Moor on Tuesday.
The victory, in the rearranged match, put United with 36 points from 17 games with rival Liverpool with 33 points before the clash between the two teams at Anfield on Sunday.
The breakthrough came in the 71st minute when Marcus Rashford floated on a ball from the right that Pogba found with a volley that deflected the outstretched leg of Burnley defender Matt Lowton and beat off deflector Nick Pope.
It is the first time United have led the league after 17 games since December 2012 and the victory was the seventh in eight games away from Old Trafford.
While United did not create as much as they would have hoped against a team in 16th place, it was a determined and aggressive display on the part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“We had to bet and win it and we did it,” said the United manager.
“We feel very confident going into the games. Away from home we have done very well. We have to believe in ourselves and we do it. We have done a great job, they are good times. It is a test against the champions (on Sunday) they’ve been fantastic, that’s a great test for us, “he said.
United captain Harry Maguire had an effort ruled out in the first half after referee Kevin Friend ruled that he had pushed Erik Pieters as he soared toward the head on a Luke Shaw cross to the back post.
Burnley applied some pressure at the end and felt like he should have taken a penalty when the ball appeared to hit Maguire’s arm. James Tarkowski had a great chance to score a point for the Clarets, but couldn’t make good contact from goal position.
United should have secured victory in the final minutes, but Anthony Martial, through the goal, was denied by Pope’s legs.
Burnley was brave and aggressive, but Juergen Klopp’s Liverpool at Anfield will offer a very different perspective.
“Of course we know that we are going to champions, they have had three incredible seasons so we are ready for it. But we are ready and we are excited, we are hungry and it is a test of character and quality again. We are in a good position to do it, “Solskjaer said.
(Reporting by Simon Evans; Edited by Toby Davis and Christian Radnedge)
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