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 Matheus Cunha was withdrawn suddenly and headed straight down the tunnel, a hamstring problem Amorim suggested may have followed playing the full Carabao Cup tie.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.

Manchester United remain without a victory in the 2025–26 season as they prepare to host Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday. United opened with a valiant effort in defeat to Arsenal and then drew 1–1 at Fulham, a game in which they “failed to lay a glove on the Cottagers after taking the lead against the run of play in the second half.”

Burnley, back in the top tier and expected to battle for survival, have shown encouraging signs. Despite a 3–0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Gameweek 1, they followed that with a home victory over Sunderland at Turf Moor and progressed to the third round of the Carabao Cup by beating Derby County 2–1 on Tuesday.

United’s recent results include a 2–2 draw with Grimsby (12–11 on penalties) on 27/08/25, the 1–1 at Fulham on 24/08/25, and the 0–1 loss to Arsenal on 17/08/25. Burnley’s recent sequence lists defeat at Tottenham (16/08/25), a 2–0 win over Sunderland (23/08/25), and the cup win over Derby (26/08/25).

Team news is likely to shape selection. Amorim opted for a strong starting lineup at Blundell Park and called upon Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo when his side went 2–0 behind. Benjamin Šeško had sights of goal on his first start for the Red Devils but failed to find the back of the net, and he’ll likely return to the bench. Amorim will be tempted to start Mason Mount again, but Bruno Fernandes’ defensive vulnerabilities in a deeper midfield position leave the United boss with a dilemma. Kobbie Mainoo started in the week but has reaffirmed his desire to leave the club on loan before the deadline, so he’s unlikely to feature. Lisandro Martínez and Noussair Mazrauoi remain out of action. Altay Bayındır is likely to return between the posts, replacing André Onana.

For Burnley, Connor Roberts should be available after the international break. Manuel Benson, Zeki Amdouni and Jordan Beyer are longer-term absentees. Kyle Walker could perform a wing-back role, while Martin Dúbravka and Hannibal Mejbri are set to line up against their former club. Jaidon Anthony has enjoyed a bright start to the season.

Man Utd predicted lineup vs. Burnley (3-4-2-1): Bayındır; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Dalot, Fernandes, Casemiro, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Mount; Cunha

Burnley predicted lineup vs. Man Utd (5-4-1): Dúbravka; Walker, Humphreys, Estève, Ekdal, Hartman; Mejbri, Ugochukwu, Cullen, Anthony; Foster

Wednesday will be remembered as one of the most infamous nights in Manchester United’s storied history at Blundell Park, and it will be incredibly tough for Amorim to overcome that humiliation. This is a mammoth fixture for the Man Utd manager, even if the Red Devils are hesitant to give up on the Portuguese. The mood at the Theatre of Dreams has drifted towards apathy, and the prospect of a worse run of results for United is real.