Manchester United twice surrendered a lead before an injury-time Bruno Fernandes penalty sealed three Premier League points for Ruben Amorim in a 3-2 victory against Burnley.
Much like the season opener against Arsenal, the Reds burst out of the blocks and fashioned multiple opportunities throughout the opening passages.
However, despite an abundance of efforts and a lack of clinical finishing, United took a first-half lead courtesy of a Josh Cullen own goal.
Burnley levelled from their first effort on target through Lyle Foster, before Bryan Mbeumo responded after 15 seconds of the restart.
Scott Parker’s men equalised for a second time shortly after the hour, setting the tone for a nervous ending in Manchester.
But, as is often the case, Fernandes shouldered the burden in the dying minutes to guarantee a deserved victory from the spot, albeit without a picture-perfect display from back to front.
Amorim will await news of an injury to Matheus Cunha and rightfully bemoan an inability to repel two of the three efforts their visitors had on goal.
Still, three points are a welcome sight for the former Sporting supremo.
Fernandes seals invaluable three points for Manchester United
Old Trafford was in sparkling voice from the off with an air of expectation for a positive start to proceedings. Their players responded with several passages of delicate interchange, fashioning three sights on goal within the opening six minutes.
United maintained their intensity throughout the opening quarter and came close through a brace of efforts from Mbeumo following stellar playmaking exhibitions from Bruno and Mason Mount.
Mount’s early-season performances have earned widespread recognition, and his tenacity was rewarded with a penalty when Kyle Walker inexplicably brought him to ground.
However, to the bemusement of many, VAR interjected to aid Sam Barrott in overruling his initial observation. Old Trafford was quick to let him know their feelings.
But Amorim’s side were undeterred and relentless in attack, deservedly taking the lead before the half-hour mark. Casemiro’s bullet header rebounded off the woodwork before hitting Cullen and finding the net.
Truthfully, United were breathtaking for large portions of the opening half, creating a staggering tally of 15 efforts on goal, with Amad squandering the pick of the bunch when it appeared easier to score.
Although a lack of clinical cutting-edge was frustrating, Cunha hobbling off the field after pulling up from an attacking sprint dented some enthusiasm from a partisan home crowd.
That said, following the midweek travesty at Blundell Park, this was the desired response from a United squad brimming with technical brilliance, with ample confidence for an assured second-half display.
Kobbie Mainoo’s future and the amount of playing time afforded in the North West have supplied ample traction across mainstream media.
Despite suggestions of favouritism, the 20-year-old replaced Mount for the restart and immediately slotted into the heart of midfield.
Unfortunately, as was the case against Fulham six days ago, Burnley levelled after 55 minutes with their first shot on target, courtesy of Lyle Foster.
But United were undeterred and hit back 15 seconds after the restart. Diogo Dalot carried his run into the area, latching onto a Joshua Zirkzee header before squaring to Mbeumo for a first Old Trafford strike.
Fernandes came agonisingly close to adding a third moments later following a well-worked corner routine, but his placed effort snuck millimetres wide of the post.
Somewhat typically, Burnley found the net for a second time within minutes of the miss following a calamity of defensive errors, beginning with Altay Bayindir, before Jaidon Anthony’s effort hit Mainoo en route to goal.
Some eyebrows were raised when Benjamin Sesko was omitted from the starting XI, but he entered to a chorus of applause for the final 20.
United continued to press as Burnley retreated, with Noussair Mazraoui returning for the final five and Sesko threatening from a brace of headed efforts.
With play entering five minutes of added time, Amad was pulled to the ground inside the area, with VAR once more sending Barrott to the pitchside monitor.
On this occasion, a penalty was awarded, and unlike his effort at Craven Cottage, Bruno converted from the spot with Old Trafford erupting in response.
After 102 minutes of typically tense drama, Ruben Amorim collected an invaluable victory as Manchester United manager, with his side earning a first win of the Premier League season.
Despite creating 26 efforts on goal and fashioning an xG of 3.53, United were fortunate. However, on a day when the Reds hit their guests for three, Fernandes and his team enter the international break on a high.
Have you got any fingernails left after that? Let us know your thoughts on the game in the comments or across our social channels.
Photo by operations@newsimages.co.uk via depositphotos.com
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