Louis van Gaal's side took the three points from Old Trafford, but were unconvincing on an evening where Sean Dyche will feel his side should have taken something
It looks comfortable - but the truth is Manchester United were on the back foot for long periods in this tussle with one of the Premier League's strugglers.
Burnley dominated the first half, and but for their inability to defend set pieces, would have taken a deserved lead into the break from Danny Ings' header.
However, Chris Smalling's first half double was ultimately enough for the Red Devils,and Robin van Persie rubber stamped the points with a late penalty.
Burnley had the chances - including a golden opportunity for Ings to double his tally shortly after the break, but United did enough.
Here are five things we learned...
In pictures: Manchester United 3-1 Burnley
A case for the defence
A win is a win, as they say say (whoever they are) but these particular three points left more questions than they did answers for Louis van Gaal.
He doesn't know his best back four, or what shape they should play. Neither do the players, and a more potent outfit would have run riot at Old Trafford this evening.
Granted, the early loss of Phil Jones, who is something of a senior statesman in the makeshift United backline, didn't help things, but they continue to flatter to deceive at the back.
Paddy McNair may go on to have a brilliant career at Old Trafford, the hierarchy clearly believe in him given the plethora of first-team football he has enjoyed, and his recent new contract. But he looks uncomfortable at right back.
Marcos Rojo hasn't been the roaring success United fans had hoped for, and he was beaten time and again on the outside by the overlapping Kieran Trippier, leading to Burnley's goal.
In the heart of the defence, the days of the solidarity of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand seem a long, long time ago.
Whether it's two or three, and worryingly regardless of the personnel, they look vulnerable. This evening it was Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans for the most part, and the story was no different.
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