Manchester United claimed a 3-2 victory over Burnley at Old Trafford thanks to Bruno Fernandes who converted an injury time penalty to rescue Ruben Amorim’s side.
United looked set to drop points after another costly error from goalkeeper Altay Bayindir gifted Jaidon Anthony his second equaliser of the afternoon. The Burnley forward punished United midway through the second half after Bayindir failed to hold Loum Tchaouna’s strike. Anthony’s finish deflected off Kobbie Mainoo and back onto Bayindir before crossing the line.
Yet Anthony undid his work in stoppage time when he tugged at Amad’s shirt as the winger burst into the box. The contact began outside the area but continued inside and after referee Sam Barrott initially waved play on, VAR instructed a review. After four minutes of deliberation the penalty was awarded. Fernandes who missed from the spot at Fulham the previous week kept calm and sent his effort into the corner.
The win came at a cost with Matheus Cunha suffering a hamstring injury shortly after Casemiro’s header struck Josh Cullen on the line. The £62.5m summer signing immediately signalled he could not continue and went straight down the tunnel. With Manchester City and Chelsea next on the schedule followed by Liverpool Amorim faces a significant test of his squad depth.
Cunha’s absence could also affect Mainoo’s immediate future. Amorim has resisted loan interest and his decision to introduce the midfielder at half time to allow Fernandes further forward suggests that stance will remain.
Another pressing concern is the goalkeeper situation. After Andre Onana’s mistake against Grimsby in the EFL Cup, Bayindir’s slip today underlined the urgency. United are in advanced talks with Royal Antwerp for Senne Lammens and this latest display reinforces the need for reinforcements.
There were positives. Bryan Mbeumo looked assured following his £65m move from Brentford and marked his first Premier League start for United with a composed finish from Diogo Dalot’s cross. Fernandes showed his authority in the decisive moment and Amorim has at least banked three vital points ahead of a daunting run of fixtures.