Soccer-Rooney scores on return as United close in on City

* Rooney made first start since March 4 * Martial put United ahead in 21st minute * Rooney's 251st United goal came in the 39th minute * United now a point behind fourth-placed Manchester City * Burnley are at Crystal Palace on April 29, United play away to Manchester City on April 27 BURNLEY 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 April 23 (Reuters) - Wayne Rooney scored on his return to the Manchester United starting-line up as Jose Mourinho's side enjoyed a 2-0 win at Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday to close in on the top four and extend their unbeaten league run to 23 games. Rooney, who last started a game on March 4, was given the start for only the second time in 2017 in the absence of the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic and with Mourinho opting to start with in-form 19-year-old Marcus Rashford on the bench. It was his French strike partner Anthony Martial though who opened the scoring at Turf Moor in the 21st minute, breaking from midfield and then finishing in style after a swift exchange with Ander Herrera. Rooney made it 2-0, with his 251st goal, in the 39th minute, reacting well to poke home from close range after Burnley keeper Tom Heaton failed to hold on to a low shot from Martial. Fifth-placed United are now just a point behind local rivals Manchester City, who are fourth, ahead of their clash at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday. (Reporting by Simon Evans; Editing by Clare Fallon)