Manchester United scored late on to defeat Burnley 3-2 for their first win of the Premier League seasonplaceholder image
Manchester United scored late on to defeat Burnley 3-2 for their first win of the Premier League season | Getty Images
Man Utd scored late on to defeat Burnley in the Premier League for their first win of the season.
The brief was simple from Ruben Amorim against Burnley: just win. Manchester United might have left it late and done their best not to win, but all that matters is that they managed to do so at the death through a dubious penalty kick.
A week after he missed the decisive spot-kick at Craven Cottage, Fernandes once again went from problem maker to problem solver, with an emphatic effort that sealed the three points for his side. On a day that was all about the result, many elements of the performance can be excused, given that they have finally got a win on the board.
The international break can now be focused on building for the future under Amorim rather than posing questions over his future, though further improvement will be demanded when they return to action. With a trip to face Man City and a home clash with Chelsea next up, there will be less room for error.
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Not many options left
Patrick Dorgu was the standout performer of the pre-season schedule, but his level of performance has dropped when the pressure of competitive football has returned. The Danish defender was decent on the opening day, but regressed in subsequent performances against Fulham and Grimsby.
There could be no complaints when he was named on the bench to face Burnley at the weekend, though there was no ideal alternative with Harry Amass set to leave on loan and summer signing Diego Leon still so raw. Instead, it was Diogo Dalot who started in the left wing-back role, a position he is even less suited to than on the right.
Yet it is one he might have to occupy a lot this season, given the lack of alternatives and the early struggles Dorgu has shown. It once again raises questions over the tactical set-up, which not only has huge emphasis on wing-backs, but also has huge emphasis on these wing-backs.
Matheus Cunha blow
It can never be straightforward at Manchester United. Even on a day when they put in an improved performance to pick up their first win of the new Premier League season, there was a setback as Matheus Cunha pulled up with an injury after just half an hour against Burnley.
Cunha has been one of the few bright sparks in the early stages of the new season and looked distraught as he immediately headed down the tunnel before a substitute had even been prepared. The international break should ease the impact of his lay-off, but it means the wait for his first United goal will have to go on a little longer.
“I don't know, we will check them,” Amorim said of his fitness at full-time. “We need that guy really bad to be competitive.” They might have to be competitive without him for now.
An issue no head coach can solve
For all the talk of system and tactics, there is not much Ruben Amorim can do about the goalkeepers at his disposal. Altay Bayindir was recalled to the Manchester United starting line up for the visit of Burnley. He would be fortunate to keep his place for the trip to face Man City after the international break.
The sign of a good goalkeeper is that even when they have little to do, they can be relied upon to make important saves. Bayindir didn’t have much to do against Burnley, and fell short whenever he was called upon. There was little he could do about the first equaliser, but a lot he could have done better to prevent the second in his latest clumsy moment.
With just two days left of the summer transfer window, the lack of a reliable goalkeeper is still a huge issue at United. For all their investment in the forward line, they still give away too many cheap goals, and any progress they make will be hindered until it is addressed. It doesn’t matter who is in charge, unless they change who is in goal.
A rejuvenated star
Eight months ago, Casemiro was Manchester United’s sixth-choice central midfielder. Now he is one of the first names on the team sheet under Ruben Amorim. It was back in January that the United head coach claimed his veteran midfielder ‘lacked the characteristics’ required to play at the heart of his side. He certainly didn’t lack them against Burnley.
The Brazilian put in an impressive midfield performance as United controlled the first half of the match. He covered plenty of ground and played a key role in their first goal of the match, and their level of performance dropped when he was replaced in the second half.
At a time when there is so much scrutiny over their midfield selection, they now have a regular in the line up and a player to build their team around.
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