Manchester United vs Burnley Review
Manchester United finally secured their first victory of the 2025/26 season when Bruno Fernandes scored a penalty in the 97th minute to clinch a 3-2 win against Burnley. The home team started aggressively, with Martin Dúbravka making several early saves to block attempts from Leny Yoro, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo. Mbeumo also missed another good opportunity, and the Red Devils felt frustrated when a penalty initially awarded for a foul by Kyle Walker on Mason Mount was overturned after a VAR review that paused the game for more than five minutes.
United finally earned the reward their performance deserved in the 27th minute, Casemiro’s header from Fernandes’ free-kick struck the crossbar, and the rebound hit the unlucky Josh Cullen before rolling over the line. Shortly after, an injury to Cunha gave Burnley an opportunity, but Hannibal Mejbri wasted their only chance of the first half by shooting over the bar. Burnley was very lucky to be only one goal behind at halftime, as Amad missed a golden opportunity in stoppage time, shooting wide with the goal open after a pass from Mbeumo.
After the break, United lost momentum, and Burnley’s improved play earned them an equalizer. Jacob Bruun Larsen found space on the right and delivered a precise cross that Lyle Foster met. The draw lasted less than two minutes, as United quickly countered from kickoff to regain the lead. Dalot was released down the left by Zirkzee and crossed for Mbeumo, who scored his second goal in as many games. Foster had a goal disallowed almost immediately after a hectic sequence of play, and then Fernandes volleyed just inches wide as opportunities kept coming.
The visitors equalized for the second time when a long throw led to a scramble in the six-yard box, with Jaidon Anthony tapping the ball in from close range after it deflected twice. United was under pressure again and pushed hard in the final moments, and the hosts got one last opportunity when Anthony fouled Amad inside the penalty area, and Fernandes redeemed himself for his missed penalty against Fulham last week by striking the ball into the bottom corner to secure victory for United.
