As Bruno Fernandes stepped up to take the stoppage-time penalty which would give Manchester United a hugely-needed late 3-2 win over Burnley, Ruben Amorim could not watch.
The United manager, who likewise had not watched the penalty shoot-out his side lost in their shock Carabao Cup defeat at fourth-tier Grimsby on Wednesday, had his eyes on the Stretford End as he awaited the roar which signalled Fernandes had scored a week after skying a spot-kick at Fulham.
United had twice squandered leads, with Lyle Foster cancelling out Josh Cullen’s own goal and Jaidon Anthony levelling after Bryan Mbeumo’s first United goal as Amorim’s men threatened to throw it away.
Nobody in the stadium needed this win more than the Portuguese, who spent Friday answering questions as to whether he would still be in a job after the international window, but it was far from the decisive victory that would have put to bed the doubts over this United team.
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Leaving it late
Ruben Amorim had not been able to watch as Bruno Fernandes scored the winning penalty
Ruben Amorim had not been able to watch as Bruno Fernandes scored the winning penalty(Martin Rickett/PA)
United dominated the first half and should have been four or five up by the break. The fact they were not – with star signing Benjamin Sesko remaining on the bench until the 72nd minute – says plenty about where they are right now. There was the intensity that Amorim called for but still none of the control they need to shut down games and grind out points. Chaotic defending and more unconvincing goalkeeping from Altay Bayindir allowed Burnley to draw level twice, and were it not for a penalty in the seventh minute of time added on this would have been written up as another bad day for United.
Victory at a cost
Matheus Cunha was forced off through injury in the first half
Matheus Cunha was forced off through injury in the first half(Martin Rickett/PA)
Fernandes’ celebrations at full-time showed this was all about three points – and a first win of the season – for a United side in desperate need of a spark, but it came at a cost. Amorim had to stop himself from kicking a water bottle at the sight of £62.5million summer signing Matheus Cunha pulling up after chasing down Hjalmar Ekdal in the first half. The Brazilian had signalled his need to come off before he had even hit the ground, and an extended absence for this key cog in United’s new-look attack would be a huge blow.
Minutes for Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo played his first Premier League minutes of the season in the win
Kobbie Mainoo played his first Premier League minutes of the season in the win(Martin Rickett/PA)
Amid all the other dramas at Old Trafford this week, Kobbie Mainoo’s request to leave the club on loan was rejected. Mainoo is concerned about his playing time in a World Cup season after being told he was competing with captain Fernandes for a place in the team, but the second half showed the pair can operate together after Cunha’s exit forced a rethink.
Frustration for Burnley
Scott Parker was left frustrated after the late penalty cost his side a point
Scott Parker was left frustrated after the late penalty cost his side a point(Martin Rickett/PA)
Burnley made the short trip down the M66 buoyed after last week’s win over Sunderland, but were comfortably second best throughout the first half. Scott Parker will focus on how his side kept fighting and twice fought their way back, only for Jaidon Anthony’s late tug on Amad Diallo to prove costly. Still, with Benfica midfielder Florentino Luis expected to join before the deadline, there were positives for the Clarets.
United’s star man – Bruno Fernandes
Burnley’s star man – Maxime Esteve