GIFTS to the opposition have been in short supply at Turf Moor this season, but Manchester United were handed a couple by Burnley to help them take all three points,

This place has been a fortress for the Clarets in 2016/17 but this was an off day for Sean Dyche’s side, who had an unintentional hand in both of the Red Devils’ goals.

Burnley have now won just one of their last 11 league games and while on paper this one always appeared tough, United’s team sheet, showing eight changes from their Europa League game on Thursday night, must have given the Clarets a boost before kick-off.

But after a bright opening two tame goals ended any real hopes Burnley had of adding another scalp to their impressive home record.

While the manner of the goals conceded will frustrate Dyche and his side, it is at the other end that there should be concerns.

Burnley have scored just three times from open play in those 11 games and they barely posed a threat to United’s backline once they had fallen behind.

While the build-up play was reasonable, ideas appeared in short supply around the penalty area, with Ashley Barnes’ influence minimal and the supply line to Andre Gray running dry.

With victories for Hull and Swansea on Saturday cutting the gap to the bottom three to five points there is still work to be done for the Clarets, but they should have more than enough in the tank to get over the line.

Tom Heaton had made comfortable saves from Wayne Rooney and Marouane Fellaini in the early stages, while for the hosts Robbie Brady flashed a volley wide and Ben Mee looped a header onto the roof of the net.

United’s goal came on the counter and it may have left Joey Barton ruing his decision not to end it in the centre circle when he had the chance. He would have collected a yellow card but given what transpired it was the lesser of two evils.

The attack started with Brady’s mis-directed cross and Anthony Martial turned Barton to gallop clear over halfway, with the Clarets midfielder passing up the chance to take a handful of his shirt.

Martial played the ball right to Ander Herrera, who returned the favour and the Frenchman slotted beyond Heaton from close range.

United doubled the advantage just before the break and again the Clarets were inflicting damage on themselves.

The danger appeared to be over until Brady gave the ball straight to Paul Pogba on the edge of the area. He fed Martial and while Heaton saved from him, Rooney’s follow-up crept over the line.

Burnley had spent large parts of the first half on the front foot, but they had given themselves plenty to do.

Andre Gray came close to pulling one back before half-time, turning Daley Blind brilliantly in the area only for Eric Bailly to block his shot, and from the resulting corner Gray couldn’t connect with a volley over his shoulder from Mee’s header.

Mee was forced off at the break with an ankle injury, ending his record as an ever present.

The Clarets started the second half meekly as they struggled to trouble a United side who were looking increasingly comfortable.

It was the visitors who went close to extending their lead, with Heaton producing a smart save to keep out Pogba’s piledriver.

Gray was Burnley’s only real threat as he tried to give Blind and Bailly a tough time.

But chances remained at a premium, with Jose Mourinho and United happy to hold what they had, and it was enough to secure them the points and leave the Clarets looking over their shoulder.