English Premier League: Burnley add to United woes in goalless draw

Red Devil’s manager Van Gaal still awaits first win of the season.

LONDON:

Manchester United’s Premier League frustrations continued as they were held 0-0 at promoted Burnley on Saturday.

The hosts could have been 2-0 up within minutes of the kick-off as former United midfielder David Jones curled a free-kick against the crossbar and some woeful defending from Jonny Evans let in Lukas Jutkiewicz, who was denied by the out-rushing David De Gea.

Di Maria grew into the game and was undoubtedly United’s best player in the first half, injecting pace and direct running into their midfield while also being the main creative force with clever flicks and pin-point passes but was unable inspire his team to a win.

United’s frustrations were compounded in the last five minutes when Spanish playmaker Juan Mata had to go off after appearing to injure his hamstring.

“We were the stronger team, certainly in the second half,” said Van Gaal.

“A club like United has to win. The progress is there but you have to win.”

Having seen his team beaten by Swansea City and held by Sunderland before being humiliated 4-0 by third-tier Milton Keynes Dons in the League Cup, United manager Louis van Gaal has now gone four competitive games without recording a win.

It’s not all about you Mario: Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists he won’t build his team around Mario Balotelli as the maverick Italy striker prepares to make his return to the Premier League when Liverpool goes up against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

“This is not the Mario Balotelli show. He is a good player, a talented player. But he has got a lot of work to do here,” said Rodgers.

Liverpool have made an uncertain start to the post-Suarez era, narrowly beating Southampton before losing 3-1 at Manchester City and they will face a stern examination of their title credentials against in-form Tottenham.

Under the leadership of new manager Mauricio Pochettino, the north London side have reeled off four successive wins in all competitions to climb to the top of the Premier League and advance to the group stages of the Europa League.

Wenger satisfied with attacking options

Arsenal’s trip to face Leicester City on Sunday will provide another test of Arsene Wenger’s belief that his squad is strong enough to cope without Olivier Giroud, who suffered a broken leg last weekend at Everton and is expected to be out until January.

With the transfer deadline approaching the Gunners boss maintains he already has enough forward options to cover for the absent France forward.

“The squad we have, we have enough to be successful,” said Wenger. “[Yaya] Sanogo, Sanchez, [Theo] Walcott, [Lukas] Podolski, Giroud and [Joel] Campbell. Of course we can be successful.”

Leicester may appear to be less formidable opponents than Roberto Martinez’s Everton, but Wenger warned his side cannot afford to take the newly-promoted side lightly.

“They are a team with a very good defence, good on the counter attack with two quick players on the flank. It’s a big challenge for us on Sunday,” said Wenger.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2014.

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