Man Utd 'lose to Burnley in behind-closed-doors match' as pressure mounts on Erik ten Hag

Manchester United lost 3-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Burnley on Wednesday, it has been claimed.

As per United Plug, a prominent United page on Twitter (X), Erik ten Hag's men lost the game having fielded a team that included several of United's fringe players.

Indeed, Jonny Evans, Hannibal Mejbri, Álvaro Fernández, Scott McTominay, Anthony Martial, Donny Van de Beek and Facundo Pellistri reportedly all started the game.

Of course, five of the seven reported starters are either expected to leave before the summer deadline or have been in the shop window, suggesting they are not central to Ten Hag's plans.

Meanwhile, Evans is only at United on a short-term contract, though Ten Hag has suggested that he wants the defender to remain at the club for the rest of the season.

It is the second time United have faced Premier League opposition in a friendly match this month, having defeated Everton at their training ground a week ago.

Ten Hag uses the games merely as an another opportunity to build fitness levels in the early stages of the season, yet his side would have benefited from a moral boosting over the Premier League new boys.

The alleged friendly defeat comes in the wake of two lacklustre displays in United's opening Premier League fixtures.

In the a 2-0 loss to Tottenham on Saturday, United's midfield was overrun, their defence was exposed and forward line was toothless for the second game in succession.

Indeed, while Ten Hag remained positive after United's weekend defeat to Ange Postecoglou's side, pressure will begin to mount on the Dutchman should the club fail to improve on their opening two performances.

United also claimed an unconvincing win over Wolves in the opening round of the season, a game where, once again, Casemiro looked overwhelmed in the middle of the park.

Nevertheless, after the loss to Tottenham Ten Hag told Sky Sports: "I liked it first half, it was a very good performance of Manchester United except we have to score. We created good chances.

"We had a really good press on the ball, we had good switches, many chances to score and we deserved a penalty. I don't know why it's not a penalty. He changes the direction of the ball, the hand is right above. But it's OK, you have to accept it."

Topics: Football, Premier League, Manchester United, Burnley

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.