Despite securing his first win of the season, Rúben Amorim will not have been happy to see how his Manchester United side defended for Burnley’s first goal of the game
Rúben Amorim claimed his first victory of the season as a stoppage-time penalty from Bruno Fernandes secured Manchester United a dramatic win over Burnley on Saturday.
United began on the front foot, with Bryan Mbeumo twice going close and several penalty shouts turned down before Josh Cullen’s own goal gave the hosts the lead just before the half-hour mark. An injury to Matheus Cunha forced an early change, with Joshua Zirkzee coming on, but despite their dominance United were unable to extend the advantage before half-time.
Burnley equalised shortly after the restart through Lyle Foster, only for Mbeumo to restore United’s lead immediately from kick-off. The visitors hit back again with 25 minutes to play, Jaidon Anthony making it 2-2.
Just as the game seemed destined for a draw, Amad won a penalty deep into stoppage time, and Fernandes coolly converted to seal a hard-fought 3-2 victory and Amorim’s first three points of the campaign.
Sloppy defending for Burnley’s equaliser
Manchester United lined up with Luke Shaw at left centre-back, and Diogo Dalot out of position at left midfield, with the pair playing their first full 90 minutes of the Premier League season.
Despite being on the front foot for most of the game, Burnley’s equaliser came seemingly out of nowhere with their first chance of the game as Lyle Foster made the most of a lapse in defensive concentration to score past Altay Bayındır.
Speaking on Premier League Productions, former Chelsea centre-back Gary Cahill criticised United’s defending that allowed Burnley to score their opening goal of the game.
“It’s a really sloppy goal for to concede from a [Manchester] United point of view. Once Dalot and Shaw are occupying the centre-back positions, they have to open up their body position. From a defensive point of view, you have to scan, you can’t mark the space, it’s really sloppy,” he said.
Shaw and Dalot may get left behind in Amorim’s system
This isn’t the first instance of the pair being somewhat at fault for United conceding a goal. During pre-season, it was shown on a couple of occasions that Shaw and Dalot looked off the pace and may not work in Amorim’s system.
Dalot, who excelled at right-back under Erik ten Hag and was named Players’ Player of the Season in 2023/24, has struggled to adjust to Amorim’s wing-back system.
Impressive pre-season displays from Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu and the emergence of 18-year-old Diego Leon on the opposite flank have seemingly pushed Dalot further down the pecking order.
A similar story applies to Shaw, whose United career has been repeatedly disrupted by injuries. Often used as a left-sided centre-back, his opportunities were further restricted following the arrival of Ayden Heaven in January.
Still, Shaw remains an influential presence in the dressing room and could provide crucial experience on the left, offering guidance to the younger duo of Dorgu (20) and Leon.
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