Scott Parker’s Burnley were ever so close to leaving Old Trafford with one point this weekend as they pegged Manchester United back twice on away soil, though Bruno Fernandes’ penalty saw Ruben Amorim pick up his first win of the season. After their 3-2 loss, Parker issued a passionate rant about United.
Josh Cullen’s own goal saw the hosts take control on Saturday afternoon, but Lyle Foster levelled proceedings in the 55th minute. Bryan Mbeumo scored shortly after, and Jaidon Anthony was on target to make it 2-2 before Fernandes’ penalty in the dying embers.
Much has been made of the Old Trafford outfit’s hodgepodge start to the 2025/26 campaign in all competitions, especially after crashing out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday to League Two side Grimsby Town – and Parker was quizzed about the 13-time Premier League champions’ instability after the match.
Watch the match highlights of Man Utd 3-2 Burnley below:
Parker Defends Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd in Passionate Post-Match Interview
scott parker burnley
United may have finished 15th in the Premier League table last time out, but their pulling power in the transfer market remains – as evidenced by the additions of Matheus Cunha, Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko for a collective fee north of £200 million.
The three new signings are yet to glue, the engine room still looks porous and defensive mistakes continue to cost them results; but there are also positive signs from Amorim’s side, especially in the first half against Burnley as they manufactured chances aplenty at will. Finishing said chances remains the issue.
The Clarets remained resolute, and it’s credit to Parker and his entourage as they look to battle the unforgiving trials and tribulations of the English top flight, something that Amorim has been quick to learn since being appointed.
ruben amorim scott parker
After leaving Old Trafford with no points to show for, Parker – who was praised by none other than Sir Alex Ferguson in 2021 – was quizzed about United’s apparent control and stability, or lack thereof, during the match. Confused, he replied:
“Well, I thought they had a lot of control and stability in the first half to be honest with you. I thought they looked a very, very good team. I get the narrative around United at the moment, and people want to spin whatever narrative they want.
Waxing poetic about United’s first-half display, Parker continued: “It’s United this week, it’ll be someone else the following week. That first half from Man United was every bit of a top team.
“Partly down to us at certain times, but they’ve got some exceptional players, and we dug in deep to get ourselves back in the game but that’s my reflection on United today.”
Given that they are usually getting pelters for an array of reasons, the Old Trafford faithful are pleased to hear a footballing figure raving about United rather than slate them. Taking to X (formerly Twitter) in response to his post-match interview, one wrote:
“Fair play Scott Parker; we never get any credit so it’s nice to see him shutting down a journalist who didn’t get the response she wanted.”
“Good to see another manager call out the morons,” one supporter said as another bemoaned the narrative around United at the current moment: “Fair play. Media narrative is terrible. Good to shut them up.” A final fan concluded: “Shocking journalism. Did she watch the game?”