Rúben Amorim was finally able to secure his first win of the season as a late Bruno Fernandes goal secured Manchester United all three points against Burnley on Saturday afternoon.
Rúben Amorim chose to start Mason Mount in the front three as Manchester United welcomed Burnley to Old Trafford for their first 3pm Premier League kick off of the season.
The tie started with United very much on the front foot. A few great chances fell to Bryan Mbeumo, while there were also multiple penalty shouts, but it took an own goal from Josh Cullen just before half an hour to hand the Reds a lead.
Soon after, Matheus Cunha had to be substituted due to injury and was replaced by Joshua Zirkzee. Although chances continued to fall United’s way, they could not grab a second before half-time.
With the second half commencing, Amorim made a further change as Kobbie Mainoo entered in the place of Mason Mount. Burnley replied with Lyle Foster getting on the end of a great cross after 55 minutes, but Mbeumo was fast to respond, restoring United’s lead immediately from kick-off.
With 25 minutes to play, the visitors found themselves level once again after Jaidon Anthony poked one home from close range. With the kitchen sink being thrown at Burnley, Amad was fouled in the area during added time, and Bruno Fernandes duly converted to hand United their first win of the season.
#1 – The players’ reaction to Grimsby loss
Following United’s shocking Carabao Cup loss against Grimsby Town, fans had been demanding a statement performance from the very first minute against Burnley.
From the very first minute, United’s stars were playing like they had a point to prove. Mbeumo looked sharper and sharper as the tie went on, while the whole team looked much more cohesive on the pitch.
However, as has seemingly been the case so far this season, once the side went ahead, they seemed to start to panic, allowing Burnley to become more physical, grow into the game, and score their goals.
But, with Fernandes converting the last-minute winner, it’s hard to say the players did not give their fans something to cheer about heading into the international break.
#2 – United starting without a striker once again
For the third Premier League fixture in a row, Amorim chose to start without a recognised striker on the field, despite Joshua Zirkzee and Benjamin Šeško having been on the bench for all three ties.
While chances did fall to United’s wide players with Cunha playing up front, once Mbeumo shifted to the centre after the former’s injury, United looked much more structured.
As soon as Cunha can, his best role is still when he’s given more freedom; having Mbeumo and, at times, Zirkzee at centre-forward gave United a better outlet and a more recognised middle prong. From September onwards, Amorim must look to start one of Mbeumo, Zirkzee, or Šeško up front.
#3 – Amorim finally starting to trust Mainoo
In the last few days, it has become clear that Mainoo is very worried about his short-term playing time at United, with reports confirming that he has requested to head out on loan for the season to maximise his playing time.
However, since the reports broke, Amorim has started him against Grimsby, where he was United’s best player, and played him for 45 minutes against Burnley, where he was at times United’s deepest player with the tie poised at 2-2.
After not playing any of the club’s first two games, Mainoo was partnered with Fernndes as United chased a goal. While he did not have a direct involvement in the second-half goals, Mainoo’s individual instructions may indicate that Amorim is starting to trust the 20-year-old in both attack and defence.
#4 – United still need a new goalkeeper
With André Onana’s parrying woes having been well documented last season, Altay Bayındır, who has started every Premier League game so far, did not show himself to be much better against Burnley.
Read More: Player Ratings – Manchester United vs Burnley (Premier League)
While the visitor’s first goal cannot be blamed on the Turkish international, the second one can. At a moment where he should have caught or parried the ball out wide, Bayındır’s poor reactions saw the ball spilt straight into Burnley’s attacking unit.
With United continuing to advance on a deal for Senne Lammens this weekend, they must do everything possible to ensure that the transfer gets over the line before the window closes on Monday evening.
#5 – Fernandes beats Amorim’s mentality point
Before the game, Amorim spoke about how he feels his players are thinking too much about the past, which unnerves them in games and can hinder their ability to be mentally strong enough to play well for a full 90 minutes.
Against Burnley, this remains evident. After going ahead against Fulham, that’s where their problems started, and it was the same story at Old Trafford, with United looking very good until they scored, then falling apart as they worry too much about conceding.
With United able to secure a late final goal through Fernandes’ penalty, the captain has shed light on the fact that maybe Amorim’s squad can finally start looking toward the future, instead of back at the past.
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