(Photoby Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Manchester United were thrown into an incredible atmosphere at Turf Moor on Wednesday evening. A stunning goal from Burnley's Robbie Blake sent all three points the Clements' way.
Michael Owen was looking as rusty as one would have assumed he'd be in his first major start for the club.
Failure to get a touch on two great deliveries from the wing left him wondering what might have been as he exited the field in the middle of the second half.
Burnley only needed one strike, and was it thunderous. After an attempt to head clear from Evra, Robbie Blake latched onto the header for a one-time volley that screamed into the upper ninety.
It was a goal worthy of the three points it won.
United had the best chance you can possibly get on goal, a penalty, awarded just before halftime. Patrice Evra was tripped up by goal scorer Robbie Blake and Carrick stepped to the spot.
He pounded a shot to the Burnley keeper Jensen's right, but the big man between the posts was the hero, saving Carrick's attempt.
As a United fan, I was puzzled as to what may have been the reason for Carrick taking the penalty. I thought Rooney, Owen, or Anderson might have been a better choice.
However, I speculate that no one wants to get a milestone goal from the spot. It would have been Rooney's 100th and Anderson's first for the club.
The entire second half was played in the Burnley end, but United couldn't find the golden touch to get them level, which would have been all they'd need to get them a second.
Instead, United looked like the team they are, one with new faces and players who haven't played nearly enough together to put forth a real team effort.
Giggs played a short corner to Antonio Valencia, who mistakenly put it onto Giggs' right foot, and since Giggs was expecting the left, the ball caught the United legend leaning and rolled over the touchline.
The town of Burnley is the smallest in the Premier League, but the 20,800 in attendance more than filled the voices of the 50,000 Burnleyians not in attendance.
With a showdown with unexpected winners on the first weekend Wigan approaching, United better shore up their expectations, otherwise United fans could be in for a frustrating season.
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