Match Report: Manchester United 1-1 Burnley | OneFootball

Manchester United proved inconsistent and messy yet again as they drew 1-1 with strugglers Burnley at Old Trafford.

Following an erratic performance against Sheffield United, Man United would have liked to appear more resolute against 19th-placed Burnley, the team who sit just one position above the Yorkshire team in the Premier League table.

It was Burnley who almost grabbed a shock lead within just 20 seconds when David Datro Fofana feinted past Casemiro and took a shot that Andre Onana comfortably saved.

United appeared to wake up after this close call, as they were soon on the attack. Alejandro Garnacho got on the end of a well-struck cross only to balloon his close-range volley over the crossbar.

Burnley were on the attack again four minutes in, with Wilson Odobert almost through on goal, only for Harry Maguire to make a well-timed tackle. At the other end of the field, Bruno Fernandes passed to Antony, whose powerful long-range shot was saved by Arijanet Muric.

While Antony was through on goal again in the eighth minute, he attempted to make a pass after being caught at an awkward angle. Unfortunately, none of his teammates made a run.

United appeared to be on fire in the opening minutes, with Garnacho laying the ball off to Eriksen, whose shot from distance narrowly missed out on bending inside the far post.

15 minutes, it was all still United as Garnacho’s cross was deflected out for a corner. Following an ineffective corner from Fernandes, Antony hit a long-range effort that was saved by the Burnley keeper.

Four minutes later, United began to show a sporadic exhibition of decent passing, with Fernandes taking a shot that hit the upright.

On the quarter-hour mark, Garnacho dribbled past three players only to seemingly be brought down in the box. Despite his protests, the referee dismissed his penalty appeals.

In a sporadic Burnley attack, Odobert curled a stunning effort toward the far corner, which Onana did well to tip around the post for a corner. United’s defence proved resolute, with Onana punching the ball out of danger.

34 minutes in, Burnley received a free kick, with Lyle Foster hitting a glancing header goalward from just a few yards out. It took an athletic diving save from Onana to deny the Clarets from grabbing a surprise lead.

Eight minutes from the break, Foster was in on goal, but it was another Onana save that denied him the breakthrough. While the United shot-stopper appeared to be on top form, his defenders would need to up their game to maintain a clean sheet.

On the other end of the field, Garnacho received a pass from Eriksen which he slammed into the side netting. While much of the stadium cheered after thinking a goal was scored, it was soon apparent that the Argentine had missed yet another prime goalscoring opportunity.

Two minutes from half-time, Antony received a yellow card after bringing down Vitinho with a late tackle. He would need to exhibit more care going forward.

In two minutes of stoppage time, Casemiro nudged Larsen to hand Burnley a free kick on the edge of the box. Fortunately, Onana caught the shot as the half-time whistle blew.

Four minutes after the restart, United came close as Garnacho weaved into the box and cut the ball back to Antony, whose shot was saved from close-range. Moments later, Fernandes played another through ball to Antony, who was unlucky not to score as Muric put in another brave save.

Fernandes thumped a through ball to Garnacho, who showed selfishness as he refused to pass to Antony and Hojlund who were waiting in the box. His shot veered past the far post, summing up what has been a poor showing from the winger.

On the hour mark, Burnley were through on the counter when Maguire was able to cut out a cross that Onana caught. After Hojlund was brought down minutes later, Fernandes took a quick, sneaky free kick and found Eriksen, whose through ball was unfortunately cut out.

Four minutes later, Garnacho received an opportune long ball, only to be blocked by Wilson Odobert before he could get the shot off.

With 25 minutes left on the clock, Rasmus Hojlund was replaced by Scott McTominay, while Amad Diallo came on for Kobbie Mainoo. Amad had an almost immediate impact, receiving a cross from the corner and laying the ball off to Garnacho, whose shot was saved.

In the 79th minute, United finally got a breakthrough as Antony sprinted at full-speed to intercept a Burnley pass. Despite rough pushing by Dara O’Shea, Antony persisted and put his shot past the keeper, handing United the late lead. It was a great show of awareness by the Brazilian following what has been a difficult season.

Two minutes later, Christian Eriksen was replaced by Sofyan Amrabat.

With five minutes of regular time to play, United conceded a penalty. Onana came out to punch away a long ball, only to hit Zeki Amdouni in the face. Following a VAR check, the penalty was awarded.

Onana dived the wrong way, with Burnley drawing level with three minutes to go plus stoppage time.

With six minutes of stoppage time awarded, United had a clear penalty appeal when Antony’s pass was handled by Vitinho. Still, the referee refused to award a penalty, with VAR bizarrely deciding not to pursue the issue further.

After incurring a troublesome injury, McTominay’s cameo came to an end as he was replaced by Mason Mount.

The visitors came close to scoring a late winner, when Odobert dribbled Diogo Dalot and took a low shot that Onana blocked with a leg save.

Amad took a shot at the death that deflected back to Antony, with the keeper saving the follow-up attempt. It all ended 1-1, with United proving disappointing yet again after failing to defeat one of the weakest teams in the Premier League who appear bound for relegation.

Starting XI: Onana, Maguire, Fernandes, Hojlund, Eriksen, Garnacho, Casemiro, Dalot, Antony, Wan-Bissaka, Mainoo Subs: Amad, McTominay, Amrabat, Mount

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