Burnley v Man Utd: Pictures
Manchester United returned to winning ways in the Premier League by beating Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor on Saturday night. Bruno Fernandes’ sensational late first-half strike, provided by surprise starter Jonny Evans, made the difference to ease the pressure on Erik ten Hag after three consecutive defeats.
Express Sport looks at four things learned from United’s triumph over Vincent Kompany’s struggling Clarets.
Ten Hag wrong about crisis
Erik ten Hag insisted United weren’t in a crisis in his press conference earlier in the week. The visitors’ starting lineup strongly suggested differently.
But as positive as Jonny Evans’ performance was, it’s staggering that United were in a position to require him to make his first start for the club in 3,125 days since a 1-0 win against Newcastle United in March 2015.
Lisandro Martinez’s absence meant Ten Hag was missing his entire first-choice backline – with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw joining Harry Maguire and Tyrell Malacia as injury casualties.
Raphael Varane was only fit enough for the bench, as was Sofyan Amrabat, but Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Amad, Antony and Jadon Sancho remain unavailable.
READ MORE Man Utd ‘enter contract talks’ with Hannibal Mejbri as Erik ten Hag stance clear[REPORT]
Added focus to Amrabat decision
Amrabat featured in a United squad for the first time since arriving at the club on transfer deadline day with a minor back injury.
The 27-year-old made his debut in the 89th minute, but United were lacklustre in midfield again before his arrival. There is an intensifying focus on who he will eventually replace as a starter.
Casemiro was better than in recent weeks but still looked leggy. Scott McTominay, again, wasn’t at the level required. Hannibal Mejbri was bright but won’t be a regular starter.
United can make Amrabat’s deal permanent by adding a £21.5million fee to the £8.5m they spent to loan him from Fiorentina. And he will likely have the chance to prove his worth from the off very soon.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Fernandes leads by example
United were by no means convincing again at Turf Moor, but Ten Hag was once again able to rely on individual brilliance from those still available for selection.
By those, I mean Bruno Fernandes. The United captain latched onto Evans’ switched pass in the dying embers of the first half in a move that Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie would’ve been proud of.
Fernandes has now been directly involved in 80 Premier League goals, registering 46 strikes and 34 assists in 130 appearances.
But there haven’t been too many attacking contributions as easy on the eye as his stunning winner against Burnley.
DON’T MISS
Man Utd have given Garnacho what he wanted as ‘transfer request’ emerges[NEWS]
Rashford and Hojlund go behind Man Utd staff’s back after nightmare start[GOSSIP]
Man Utd ‘offered Fred and van de Beek’ to tempt Atalanta into Hojlund transfer[TRANSFERS]
Man Utd traditions remain despite slump
United’s victory offers slight respite in a disastrous start to the campaign, but Ten Hag’s side have continued a welcome trend. When the Red Devils enter half-time ahead, they rarely taste defeat.
In fact, United are unbeaten in their last 136 Premier League outings in which they have held the advantage when the half-time whistle blows, winning 117 and drawing 19.
The Old Trafford giants haven’t lost such a match since their 5-3 defeat at Leicester City in September 2014.
They also extended a fine run of results away at Burnley, extending an unbeaten streak on the Turf Moor pitch they established in 2009.
Source: Read Full Article