Romelu Lukaku brace eases pressure on Jose Mourinho with Burnley win

Romelu Lukaku fired a first-half brace as 10-man Manchester United beat Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor in the Premier League to provide some much-needed respite for under-pressure Jose Mourinho.

Lukaku’s double looked to have set United on course for a comfortable win but Marcus Rashford was sent off just moments after Paul Pogba missed a penalty.

Rashford, a 61st-minute substitute for Alexis Sanchez, jutted his head towards Phil Bardsley’s after the defender left a leg in on the 20-year-old as they hustled for the ball in the corner. Referee Jon Moss was left with no option but to issue a red.

However, the numerical inferiority did not inhibit United’s hold on the game, and Lukaku should have added a third late on but Ben Mee got back to deny him after he had rounded Joe Hart in the Burnley goal.

Otherwise it proved a productive evening for Mourinho who had the vocal backing of the large travelling support, as his side bounced back to winning ways after two consecutive defeats to move into 10th. Winless Burnley remain second bottom with just one point after four games.

United send a message to critics: Jose Mourinho said the mood remained positive in the United camp after a disastrous fortnight in which his team lost twice, and on this showing it appears the Portuguese was telling the truth as his players responded in the perfect manner. Criticism had been levelled at several United players including Lukaku - who missed that open net in the 3-0 defeat to Tottenham - and the Belgian, as well as the rest of his team mates, clearly had a message to send to those who had doubted them. They now have a two-week break before the Premier League resumes - a chance to get their heads clear as they prepare to tackle a crucial period in the domestic season. Mourinho has breathing space.

Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United): The Belgian scored only his second brace for the Red Devils, but will be disappointed he didn't net his hat-trick. The forward was always playing off the shoulder of Ben Mee and the Burnley defender couldn't cope with his pace and strength.

Burnley: Hart 8, Taylor 6, Tarkowski 6, Mee 6, Bardsley 7, Lennon 5, Cork 5, McNeil 7, Westwood 6, Wood 5, Hendrick 5. Subs: Vokes 5, Barnes N/A, Vydra N/A.

Manchester United: De Gea 7, Valencia 6, Shaw 7, Lindelof 6, Smalling 7, Matic 5, Fellaini 7, Sanchez 7, Pogba 6, Lingard 7, Lukaku 8. Subs: Bailly N/A Herrera 5,Rashford 4.

27' - GOAL! Burnley 0-1 Manchester United: Lukaku with the headed goal! The Belgian is allowed to peel off his marker to nod home Sanchez's inch-perfect cross. It's a straight forward move and questions have to be asked about Burnley's defending.

36' - EXCELLENT SAVE! A lovely inter-change from Sanchez and Lukaku, the latter is released one-vs-one with the Burnley goalkeeper but Hart rushes off his line, makes himself big and blocks the Belgian's shot.

44' - GOAL! Burnley 0-2 Manchester United: Lukaku with his second of the afternoon and you can't say it's not deserved! Burnley's fragilities brought to the surface once more. Lingard creates space for a shot, it takes a couple of deflections before falling kindly to Lukaku who hammers the loose ball past a helpless Harte.

68' - PENALTY TO UNITED! Lennon upends Rashford in the box and the referee Jon Moss is in a good position to award the spot-kick to the visitors.

69' - SAVED BY HART! Pogba stutters his run-up and the Burnley goalkeeper dives the right way, saving the penalty to his right. Poor effort.

71' - STRAIGHT RED CARD! Rashford is sent off for pushing his head into Bardsley! The Burnley defender is also booked for kicking out at the United forward, an action which prompted the angry reaction from Rashford.

78' - LUKAKU SHOULD SCORE HIS HAT-TRICK! The Belgian races onto Pogba's delicious through-pass, he rounds the goalkeeper with a step-over but Mee shows great determination to make a last-gap tackle!