Ruben Amorim was in desperate need of a win for Manchester United at home against Burnley after the humiliating Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town.
And he got one despite making the baffling decision to leave new £74m centre forward Benjamin Sesko on the bench until late in the game - even after Matheus Cunha went off injured in the first half, when the Portuguese coach opted for Erik ten Hag flop Joshua Zirkzee to enter the fray instead.
United had taken the lead in the first 45 minutes thanks to an own goal from Burnley skipper Joshua Cullen in the first half. When the visitors equalised through Lyle Foster after the interval, Bryan Mbuemo almost immediately scored at the other end for the Red Devils. But calamitous goalkeeping and defending again proved United's undoing, allowing Jaidon Anthony to level the score. However, a last minute penalty from Bruno Fernandes after a long VAR review saw United get the win.
Speaking to MUTV ahead of the game, Amorim said: "We have to win. That's all. We need to perform. When it's tough, we need to stick together, but what is most important is today we must do our job." His players responded to his demands in the first half, after he made eight changes to the team that lost on penalties in midweek, but just one from the side that drew 1-1 at Fulham last weekend - Diogo Dalot coming in for Patrick Dorgu as left wing-back.
Mbeumo was bright in the opening stages with some beautiful touches and forced a fine save from Clarets keeper Martin Dubravka, before sending another effort agonisingly wide not long after. Former Manchester City captain Kyle Walker was predictably booed by the Old Trafford faithful and on 17 minutes appeared to foul United midfielder Mason Mount in the penalty area, as a spot-kick was awarded by referee Sam Barrett. But after a VAR review, it was ruled the incident took place just outside the box and was not in fact a foul.
Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrate after Josh Cullen of Burnley (not pictured) scores his teams own goal
Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United celebrate after Josh Cullen of Burnley (not pictured) scores his teams own goal (Image: 2025 Getty Images)
However, less than 10 minutes later United took the lead, as a Casemiro met a cross with a bullet header that struck the crossbar, before hitting Burnley captain Cullen on the back and crossing the line, despite Dubravka's best efforts.
Unfortunately for United, just moments later summer signing Matheus Cunha went down with an injury, meaning the former Wolves striker had to be replaced, with Amorim opting for Zirkzee rather than Sesko off the bench. Shortly before half-time Mount rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner, but was unable to extend the Red Devils' lead.
Wantaway midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who has been looking for a loan due to limited playing time at United, replaced Mount at half-time due to another injury concern.
The game burst into life in the 63rd minute, when lazy defending by United saw Jacob Bruun Larsen given too much space on the right wing, before he crossed for Foster to score. Yet seconds after the restart, Bayindir found Zirkzee who flicked the ball on and Dalot crossed from the byline for the unmarked Mbeumo to score his first league goal for the club.
On 59 minutes Burnley had the ball in the back of the net again, only for Lyle Foster's strike to be ruled offside by a narrow margin. However, on 74 minutes Jaidon Anthony made it 2-2.
It was a defensive calamity for the home side, as Altay Bayindir spilled an effort from Burnley's Loum Tchaouna, with Anthony quicket to react. Mainoo tried to clear but kicked the ball into Bayindir and it bobbled into the net in shambolic scenes.
Sesko did arrive late on as a substitute for Casemiro, but was unable to grab United the win they so badly needed, squandering a great opportunity.
Yet Anthony held Amad's shirt on the edge of the box and continued to grab him into the penalty area, which was confirmed as a foul after a long VAR review. Bruno Fernandes stepped up to fire home and atone for his miss from the spot in the draw at Fulham last weekend.