Manchester United are top of the table in the second half of the season for the first time since 2013 after securing a 1-0 win over Burnley on Tuesday.

The Red Devils are now three points ahead of Liverpool heading into a blockbuster clash with Jurgen Klopp's side at Anfield on Sunday.

The first half at Turf Moor saw Burnley put up a tough fight against their star studded opponents, led by Edinson Cavani up front.

The Uruguayan thought he had won a dangerous free-kick for United when he was brought down by Robbie Brady, who arguably could have been sent off as Cavani was headed for goal.

But after consulting the video monitor, referee Kevin Friend rescinded Brady's yellow card and showed the same colour to Luke Shaw for a challenge on Johann Berg Gudmundssonin the build-up.

Shortly after, Friend was involved again when he made a harsh decision to disallow Harry Maguire's fine header for a push on Erik Pieters.

The second-half was a different story as United's two main creative threats in Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes took hold of the game.

Eventually it was Pogba who made the breakthrough when he showed superb technique to connect with a volley on the edge of the box, although his effort was helped on by a deflection off Matthew Lowton.

It took going behind to spark Burnley into attack mode, and they might have had a penalty late on when Maguire appeared to handle the ball inside the box, but VAR did not see anything wrong with the action.

Nemanja Matic was excellent as the anchoring midfielder in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, and the Serbian said after the game that United thoroughly deserved their spot on the table.

"It was exactly what we expected and we did a great job and deserved the points. We are top of the table and we are happy.

"We are exactly where we belong. Burnley are a good side and to win here is not easy.

"We know that we go game by game. This one was a final and now we focus on the next one in the same way against Liverpool."