“No way Bruno would miss two penalties in a row” – Amorim relieved as United return to winning ways | OneFootball

Manchester United 3-2 Burnley

Ruben Amorim cut a relieved figure as Bruno Fernandes’ last-gasp penalty gave Manchester United their first Premier League victory of the season against Burnley at Old Trafford.

The visitors twice came from behind in the second half to frustrate Amorim’s men, but Fernandes’ winner in the 97th minute ensured the Red Devils will head into the international break in better spirits after a testing week.

United impressed at times during their opening two league matches, but had just one point to show from an unfortunate 1-0 defeat to Arsenal and a 1-1 draw at Marco Silva’s Fulham, during which Fernandes missed a penalty. The uncertain start to the Premier League campaign was compounded in midweek when United were eliminated by 4th-tier Grimsby in the Carabao Cup on penalties.

Amorim’s interviews after the Grimsby setback were covered relentlessly by the British media in the following days, with the former Sporting man humorously admitting that sometimes he hates his players. The meeting with Burnley presented a potentially devastating blow for United and their under-pressure boss if they slipped up again.

In truth, United should have had Burnley beaten by half time. An own goal by Josh Cullen following Casemiro’s header coming off the bar put the hosts ahead, before United once again squandered opportunities to increase their lead. Amad Diallo and Joshua Zikrzee were both guilty of missing particularly good chances before half time.

Dalot impresses in attack

United were duly punished ten minutes into the second half when Lyle Foster drew Burnley level. However, within a minute the advantage was restored when Diogo Dalot, who was a willing runner going forward from left wing-back, cut the ball back for Bryan Mbeumo to score from close range. Burnley levelled again through Jaidon Anthony, leaving United back at stalemate heading into stoppage time.

The penalty for the winner, awarded when Amad had his shirt pulled by Anthony, set up Bruno Fernandes to make amends for his missed kick against Fulham last weekend. Once again Amorim refused to watch the penalty – a subject which has drawn much attention in the English media in recent days – but Bruno kept his nerve to find the bottom corner.

“If you look at the game, we should solve the game in the first half and then control the game,” Amorim told SKY Sports after the match. “But it’s never easy and we had to fight until the last minute. We over complicated things. But for me the most important thing is it doesn’t matter what happens, we tried. During the game we tired in every moment. Sometimes too open, too fast, losing possession. But the effort was there.

“In the first half we had so many chances to score a goal and that would have helped us to control the emotions, the game, to involve the fans. But we are always doing [it like] this. We can control the game well, but one throw-in, one set-piece is really hard for us at this moment. But today was fair. It was a game we had to win and we won, but we still have a lot to do.

“I don’t like to see penalties, but I like to see the image of the fans. I was just thinking that what has to be, will be. Sometimes one moment can change a lot of things. In that moment I was thinking it’s fair we win this game. And I was thinking there’s no way Bruno will miss two penalties in a row. So I was really confident.”