Bruno Fernandes converted a stoppage-time penalty in the 97th minute after a VAR review to hand Manchester United a first Premier League win of the season, but the result masked a number of concerns at Old Trafford.

Ruben Amorim, who has faced scrutiny for his choice of words since the Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town, described mixed feelings after the final whistle. He said the team should have finished the contest earlier, pointing to a dominant first half that produced 15 shots to Burnley’s two and an xG of 1.57 yet left United only 1–0 ahead.

Burnley’s own goal from skipper Josh Cullen proved decisive. Bryan Mbeumo had forced a top save from goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka and Mason Mount hit the bar, but many United efforts went off target. Speaking after the match Amorim told Premier League Productions, “It is three points, if you look at the game we should solve it in the first half and control the game—but we are fighting to the last minute because of things we overcomplicate.”

Amorim added: “Look at the first half, we have so many chances to score. You feel you can control the game. But one throw in, one set-piece. I shook my head, because sometimes football is like this. We now have two weeks with a lot of opportunities. This was a game we had to win, but we have a lot to do.”

The match was also disrupted by injuries. Matheus Cunha was withdrawn suddenly and headed straight down the tunnel, a hamstring problem Amorim suggested may have followed playing the full Carabao Cup tie. Mason Mount did not return for the second half and the manager said of the issues, “I don’t know. We will check them.” Cunha’s availability for Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia is now in doubt.

When Cunha left, Benjamin Šeško was not introduced; Joshua Zirkzee came on instead. Šeško later had two headers that might have ended the game earlier but missed the target. André Onana remained on the bench after starting midweek, and Altay Bayındır, who has begun all three Premier League games, continues to be scrutinised for an error against Arsenal and nervousness in the air.

Manchester United claimed their first Premier League victory of the season with a 97th-minute penalty from captain Bruno Fernandes, turning a five-goal contest at Old Trafford into a 3–2 win.

The match began with pressure from both sides. Bryan Mbeumo tested former United keeper Martin Dúbravka twice around the 15th minute, one effort saved and another flying wide. A contentious moment followed when Mason Mount and Kyle Walker tangled; referee Sam Barrott awarded a penalty initially, but after VAR review he ruled there was no foul.

United took the lead through a Josh Cullen own goal. Mount’s wide free-kick was flicked by Casemiro against the bar and then deflected off Cullen over the line before Dúbravka could reach it. United lost Matheus Cunha to injury in the first half, though Mount later struck the bar with a flicked header and Amad Diallo forced a fine save from Dúbravka. Substitute Joshua Zirkzee had several attempts in stoppage time but the score stayed 1–0 at the break.

The second half opened with two goals in 90 seconds. Jacob Bruun Larsen’s cross found Lyle Foster, who diverted home to level. United responded immediately as Diogo Dalot delivered from the left and Bryan Mbeumo swept the chance into the net. Foster had a second goal disallowed for a marginal offside, and Jaidon Anthony made it 2–2 after a long throw and a rebound from Altay Bayındır when Loum Tchaouna’s shot was parried.

Late chances fell to Benjamin Šeško but his headers went high. In stoppage time, Amad was pulled by Anthony as he entered the box. Following a VAR check, Barrott pointed to the spot and Fernandes converted, his 99th goal for United.

Player ratings (out of 10)
GK: Altay Bayındır 6.1
CB: Leny Yoro 6.8
CB: Matthijs de Ligt 6.4
CB: Luke Shaw 6.8
RM: Amad Diallo 8.1
CM: Casemiro 6.9
CM: Bruno Fernandes (c) 8.6
LM: Diogo Dalot 8.0
AM: Bryan Mbeumo 8.3
AM: Mason Mount 7.4
ST: Matheus Cunha 6.7
SUB: Joshua Zirkzee (31’ for Cunha) 6.4
SUB: Kobbie Mainoo (46’ for Mount) 6.3
SUB: Benjamin Šeško (72’ for Casemiro) 5.8
SUB: Noussair Mazraoui (85’ for Yoro) N/A

Subs not used: André Onana, Ayden Heaven, Harry Maguire, Manuel Ugarte, Patrick Dorgu.

Burnley (4-2-3-1): Martin Dúbravka; Kyle Walker, Hjalmar Ekdal, Maxime Estève, Quilindschy Hartman; Lesley Ugochukwu, Josh Cullen (c); Jacob Bruun Larsen, Hannibal Mejbri, Jaidon Anthony; Lyle Foster.

Tottenham Hotspur opened the season with a convincing home win as Richarlison struck twice and Brennan Johnson added a third. Mohammed Kudus provided both assists for Richarlison, the second of which came from an acrobatic bicycle kick that settled the contest.

The match began at pace. Lucas Bergvall forced a save from Burnley debutant Martin Dúbravka inside the opening minute. Dúbravka then held the ball for more than eight seconds, prompting referee Michael Oliver to award a corner to the hosts. Spurs dominated the early passage and were rewarded when Kudus delivered a precise cross for Richarlison, who hammered a half volley beyond Dúbravka for the opener.

After the early intensity the game steadied. Guglielmo Vicario produced his first save on 25 minutes to claim a Maxime Estève header, and Josh Laurent tested the goalkeeper again with an effort that flashed wide. Laurent remained Burnley’s liveliest presence and forced further work from Vicario, while the Clarets registered more touches inside the penalty area than Spurs.

By half time Burnley had created double the number of chances of their hosts despite owning just 29% of possession. That superiority in opportunity, however, failed to produce a goal.

Spurs resumed in the same vein. Estève and Dúbravka combined to deny Richarlison early in the second half, the first attempt blocked by the defender and the second saved by the goalkeeper. The breakthrough arrived when Kudus floated another perfect delivery and Richarlison produced an outstanding acrobatic finish for his second.

Five minutes later Johnson was sent through and chipped the goalkeeper to confirm the three points, sending the home crowd into celebration. Richarlison and Kudus were substituted to a standing ovation and embraced by manager Thomas Frank, who will be pleased with the opening victory. Scott Parker’s Burnley created 14 chances but could not convert enough opportunities.

Lineup – BUR: Dúbravka; Sonne, Walker, Ekdal, Estève, Hartman; Mejbri, Laurent, Cullen, Anthony; Foster