Bruno Fernandes scores a stoppage-time penalty to seal Manchester United’s first win, 3-2! Even against a newly promoted side, the victory was nerve-wracking and may become a season-long pattern.

Despite a rollercoaster of events, Manchester United finally secured their first victory of the season! At Old Trafford against newly promoted Burnley, the Red Devils twice took the lead only to be pegged back, but in the 7th minute of added time, Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty to clinch a thrilling 3-2 win. The match featured typical United traits: missed chances, defensive lapses, and goalkeeper errors, with players celebrating as if they had won the Champions League.

After a shocking League Cup exit midweek, Rúben Amorim reverted to a strikerless starting lineup, leaving forwards Benjamin Šeško and Marcus Thuram on the bench, while Mason Mount started. Diogo Dalot replaced Patrick Dogu, playing as a makeshift left wing-back, with Amad Diallo on the right wing. In goal, Altay Bayındır returned to replace André Onana.

Manchester United started the game very proactively and created numerous chances. The best opportunities came from their £71 million winger Mbeumo, who had two shots: one saved by Burnley’s keeper Dubravka with his left foot, and another right-footed attempt that went wide.

Mount had an excellent first half, creating multiple chances and nearly earning a penalty. He blocked Kyle Walker’s pass upfront, then drove into the box and fell. Referee Sam Barrott initially awarded a penalty, but after VAR review showed mutual pulling and insufficient contact, the decision was overturned.

Still, the Red Devils took the lead, but ironically, it was scored by a Burnley player... Mount delivered a left-side corner, Casemiro headed the ball onto the crossbar, which then bounced off Burnley midfielder Cullen’s back into the net. Dubravka reacted quickly to scoop the ball out, but goal-line technology confirmed the ball had fully crossed the line. Manchester United led 1-0 over Burnley. This marked the second consecutive Premier League game where United took the lead through an opponent’s own goal, making own goals their joint top scorer.

However, an injury setback struck the leading United side as Cunha suffered a thigh muscle strain during a challenge. After treatment from team doctor Jordan Rich, he walked off the pitch alone and will definitely need time to rest. Fortunately, an international break is coming up in two weeks. Amorim chose to substitute in Thuram instead of Šeško.

The 40-year-old Portuguese coach explained post-match that the decision was fitness-related: “After the League Cup match against Grimsby, Benjamin (Šeško) cramped up at the end, so we let him take the last penalty then. Today it was the same reason. Thuram is a national team-level striker. Benjamin missed preseason training and hasn’t played a full 90 minutes in warm-up matches.”

Before halftime, Manchester United continued to squander chances. Mount connected with Mbeumo’s right-wing corner with a header that grazed the crossbar and bounced out over the goal line.

Bruno Fernandes delivered a corner to the penalty spot where Amad volleyed, but Dubravka made a spectacular save. Then, Mbeumo, running clear, chose to pass to Amad, who inexplicably kicked the ball wide into an open net, missing the perfect chance to put the game beyond doubt!

After the break, Cody Meno came on as a substitute for Mount. The reason was simple: Mount was injured again... The £60 million midfielder has joined Manchester United for three seasons, and every August he suffers an injury. Last August, in the Brighton match, he played well in the first half but had to leave at halftime due to injury and never fully recovered that season.

Regarding the continued omission of Šeško, Amorim said: “Since Cunha and Mount are injured, I didn’t want to risk playing another fatigued player. I wasn’t sure if they could last many minutes. So everything is connected: penalty duties, Wednesday’s match, and Benjamin’s playing time today.”

Manchester United’s one-goal lead was wiped out within 10 minutes of the second half. Burnley’s Bren Larson crossed from the right, the Red Devils’ defense lost their marker, and Foster stretched out to tap the ball into the net, leveling the score at 1-1.

Fortunately, immediately after the kickoff, Manchester United regained the lead! Dalot unexpectedly dribbled past two defenders down the left flank and crossed near the byline. Unmarked, Mbeumo slid the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to make it 2-1 to United over Burnley. This was the first Premier League goal scored by a United player this season, and notably, across all competitions, Mbeumo also scored the team’s first goal. He and the own goals are currently United’s top scorers.

United got their goal but their defense remained fragile. Foster dribbled past Bayındır and sent the ball into an empty net, but VAR ruled he was slightly offside at the start of the move, nullifying the goal. United escaped unscathed.

In recent matches, Manchester United’s corner kicks have been very threatening. They combined well again as Bruno Fernandes received a pass from Mbeumo at the penalty spot and fired a low shot, but it narrowly missed.

Missed chances were punished. In the 66th minute, United goalkeeper Bayındır fumbled in a scramble, allowing Jadon Anthony to score on the rebound, leveling the match at 2-2. Of the six goals United have conceded this season, four have come from goalkeeper errors.

At this point, Amorim finally brought on Šeško. However, Manchester United had to wait until the 7th minute of stoppage time to snatch a dramatic victory. The team is busy preparing to offload Jadon Sancho and Anthony before the summer transfer window closes next Monday, but they owe thanks to Burnley’s Jadon Anthony. Although he scored, his tug on Amad’s shirt in stoppage time was judged a penalty foul.

Bruno Fernandes took the penalty and scored, with Dubravka diving the wrong way and unable to reach the ball. On the sidelines, Amorim did not watch the shot; he had his feet propped up. The Manchester United manager wore a frustrated expression, perhaps due to poor shooting and weak defending. On Friday, Amorim admitted sometimes he dislikes his players, and he surely felt that way several times during this match.

When asked why he looked away, Amorim said: “I like to see the fans’ reactions; everything is predetermined. At that moment, I thought winning the match was fair, and I didn’t believe Bruno would miss consecutive penalties.”

Manchester United won, but this game shouldn’t have been so tense. Against newly promoted Burnley, United dominated with 20 shots but only 6 on target, while Burnley scored twice from just 6 attempts. Aside from the result, the Red Devils’ performance this season still feels like an extension of last year’s struggles: goalkeepers making errors and forwards missing chances.

In the directors’ box, Manchester United CEO Omar Belada watched nervously. He and the transfer department must act before September 1 to strengthen the squad, or the pattern of this match may continue all season! The team’s attacking efficiency can only improve with training, but midfield and goalkeeper control likely require new signings.

Otherwise, relying on Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Meno in central midfield, with wingers Amad, Dalot, or Dogu, and goalkeepers Bayındır and Onana alternating errors, Manchester United will be evenly matched against any opponent and must aim to outscore rivals by just one goal to win. Red Devils fans will need to train hard and keep a brave heart.