Manchester United’s securded a first win of the season as they secured a dramatic late 3-2 win over Burnley at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim started Altay Bayindir in goal with a defensive three of Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw ahead of him.
Diogo Dalot and Amad were deployed in the wing-back positions, with Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro forming the midfield pivot. Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount lined up in the two number 10 positions as Matheus Cunha started in a false nine position.
First-half
United started brightly, moving the ball well and looking to create chances early on. Starting games well has been a theme for the team this season and it was no different against Burnley.
Martin Dubravka denied United from a corner before producing another top save to keep Cunha from finding the back of the net. Amad in particular was a problem for the Burnley defenders, who struggled to keep up with his quick and tricky feet. Quilindschy Hartman was at pains to stop the Ivorian.
Two quick chances fell to Mbeumo, one of which saw him take a superb touch and almost curl a shot into the corner. Moments later, the new signing went close again with his right foot.
United stepped up the ante and were awarded a penalty in the 17th minute after the referee judged that Kyle Walker had illegally brought down Mount inside the box.
Mount did well to win the ball back and drive into the box while under immense pressure from Walker. However, after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, the referee reversed his decision and cancelled the penalty call.
But, it didn’t matter too much for United as they eventually broke the deadlock in the 27th minute. Fernandes’ brilliant corner-kick delivery was headed towards Dubravka by Casemiro. The Burnley goalkeeper got a hand to it but it bounced off Josh Cullen to go in.
Unfortunately for the Red Devils, Cunha was forced to come off soon after with what seemed like a hamstring injury. The Brazilian was replaced by Joshua Zirkzee.
United didn’t let their levels drop and continued putting pressure on the visitors. Amad had two good chances to score. One from the edge of the box but he blazed his effort over and the second time, in which he missed a tap-in that could have made it 2-0 to United. Mount also hit the crossbar with a header from Mbeumo’s cross.
Just before the break, Zirkzee also had a sight of goal but he couldn’t bring the ball under his spell and allowed Dubravka to gather it.
Overall, a strong first-half performance from United, with the only problem being that they didn’t score more than one goal.
Second half
Amorim made one personnel change during the interval, bringing on Kobbie Mainoo for Mount.
Mainoo quickly made his presence felt in the second half, creating United’s first opportunity by picking up the ball and crossing for Zirkzee, though Burnley were able to cut it out.
Burnley enjoyed a rare venture forward and nearly carved out a chance, but Yoro intervened to stop the striker from getting a shot away.
Scott Parker’s men eventually drew level through Lyle Foster, who managed to find some space inside the box to fire past a helpless Altay Bayindir.
However, United responded instantly, as Mbeumo converted a Dalot cross and restored the Red Devils’ lead. Zirkzee laid it off to Dalot, who showed great strength to ward off his marker before picking out Mbeumo with his delivery. The former Brentford man made no mistake from close range for his first United strike.
Burnley thought they had made it 2-2 at the hour mark when Foster rounded Bayindir and scored into an empty net, but the player was offside and the goal was ruled out.
Mainoo came close to doubling United’s advantage after some excellent exchanges between himself, Fernandes, Casemiro and Zirkzee, but the young midfielder could not tame his effort. Fernandes almost added his name to the scoresheet, connecting with a volley from a corner but his shot drifted wide.
The Clarets clawed their way back once more when Jaidon Anthony’s strike, aided by a deflection off Mainoo, beat the goalkeeper and nestled into the net.
Amorim brought on Benjamin Sesko in the 71st minute to try and change the game. Sesko replaced Casemiro.
United responded positively to the setback, increasing the tempo and sending crosses into the box in a bid to unlock Burnley’s resilient defence.
As stoppage time approached, Amorim made another substitution – Noussair Mazraoui for Yoro.
with five minutes left on the clock, Mbeumo delivered a good cross to Sesko, who towered over his man to connect with the ball but he couldn’t quite hit the target.
The Slovenian tried another header shortly after, but it posed no threat to Dubravka.
There was late drama at the end as United were awarded a penalty after Amad was brought down by Jaidon Anthony inside the box.
Fernandes stepped up to take the spot-kick and expertly dispatched it to secure United their first three points of the 2025/26 campaign.
Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
