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Manchester United edged Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table after a deflected shot from Paul Pogba gave them a 1-0 win at Burnley on Tuesday night.
The French star volleyed from the edge of the area in a second half dominated by the visitors, who earned the three points.
Edinson Cavani was named to United’s lineup at Burnley after returning from a three-game suspension.
The 33-year-old was one of 10 changes made to the team that beat Watford in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Eric Bailly was the only player who kept his starting position after overcoming a blow to the back of the head.
Nick Pope returned between the sticks when Burnley made four changes in his penalty shootout win against MK Dons.
The locals made their intentions clear early on as they looked to upset United center-backs with long balls to Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes.
However, United had the first shot on goal when Bruno Fernandes fired straight at Nick Pope from 16 yards.
There was a long VAR delay just before the half hour mark when Robbie Brady may have seen red for knocking down Cavani when he cleared the goal, after he was initially shown a yellow card.
However, referee Kevin Friend decided Luke Shaw had fouled Johann Gudmundsson at the other end of the field seconds earlier, and the United star showed a yellow.
Moments later, Harry Maguire saw a chalk headed goal scored for a foul on Erik Pieters.
England’s stopper Pope had to be in his prime when the half came to a close, dumping Anthony Martial’s curling strike over the bar.
United assert their dominance
United started the second half brilliantly and should have taken the lead thanks to Cavani in the 52nd minute.
A well-worked break found Martial down the left, but his cross was completely missed by the forward six yards away.
Fernandes then made two attempts at Pope in as many minutes as United looked to step on the gas.
Cavani launched an effort over the bar, after receiving the benefit of a lucky rebound 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 advantage with a well-taken volley.
Rashford worked some space to the right before crossing to the edge of the area for Pogba to return home, via a slight detour from Matt Lowton.
Josh Brownhill threw a volley wide from 20 yards, while backup Matej Vydra saw an effort diverted to the side net on a late charge from Burnley.
Martial limped off in injury time after blowing an opportunity to make two, while United held on for three vital points.
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